Two New Secreted Proteases Generate a Casein-Derived Antimicrobial Peptide in Food Born Isolate Leading to Bacterial Competition in Milk.

Milk and dairy products harbor a wide variety of bacterial species that compete for both limited resources and space. Under these competitive conditions, bacteria develop specialized mechanisms to protect themselves during niche colonization and nutrient acquisition processes. The bacterial antagonism mechanisms include the production of antimicrobial agents or molecules that facilitate competitor dispersal.