The spectrum of antimicrobial activity of the bacteriocin subtilosin A.

Background: Bacterocins are antimicrobial peptides produced by bacteria with a relatively narrow range of activity against closely related organisms. Subtilosin A is a bacteriocin produced by Bacillus subtilis that has activity against Listeria monocytogenes, which might indicate antimicrobial activity unusual for bacteriocins.

Objectives: To examine the antimicrobial activity and factors affecting the activity of subtilosin A against a range of potentially pathogenic bacteria.