Mutacin H-29B is identical to mutacin II (J-T8).

Background: Streptococcus mutans produces bacteriocins named mutacins. Studies of mutacins have always been hampered by the difficulties in obtaining active liquid preparations of these substances. Some of them were found to be lantibiotics, defined as bacterial ribosomally synthesised lanthionine-containing peptides with antimicrobial activity.

In vivo activity of mutacin B-Ny266.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess the in vivo activity of mutacin B-Ny266 (a bacteriocin produced by Streptococcus mutans) in order to eventually use it as an antibiotic.

Methods: Intraperitoneal infection was induced with a methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus strain in mice. Some of the mice were simultaneously injected intraperitoneally with mutacin B-Ny266, some with the vehicle only and some with vancomycin.

Improved methods for mutacin detection and production.

Studies of mutacins have always been hampered by the difficulties in obtaining active liquid preparations of these substances. In order to be commercially produced, good mutacin yields have to be obtained, preferably in inexpensive media. The results presented here indicate that mutacins can be produced in supplemented cheese whey permeate.

Replacement of trifluoroacetic acid with HCl in the hydrophobic purification steps of pediocin PA-1: a structural effect.

Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) is a purification contaminant associated with pediocin PA-1 that interferes with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy structural analysis. As revealed by circular dichroism, its presence affects the structural folding of pediocin. Consequently, we propose a new pediocin PA-1 purification procedure using HCl instead of TFA in all of the hydrophobic steps.