Bacteriocin production: a relatively unharnessed probiotic trait?
- 2016-10-27
- F1000Research 5
- James W Hegarty
- Caitriona M Guinane
- R Paul Ross
- Colin Hill
- Paul D Cotter
- PubMed: 27853525
- DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.9615.1
Study Design
- Type
- Review
Probiotics are "live microorganisms which, when consumed in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit to the host". A number of attributes are highly sought after among these microorganisms, including immunomodulation, epithelial barrier maintenance, competitive exclusion, production of short-chain fatty acids, and bile salt metabolism. Bacteriocin production is also generally regarded as a probiotic trait, but it can be argued that, in contrast to other traits, it is often considered a feature that is desirable, rather than a key probiotic trait. As such, the true potential of these antimicrobials has yet to be realised.