Abstract

To improve bacteriocin-like inhibitory substance (BLIS) production by Pediococcus pentosaceus ATCC 43200, the influence of pH as well as the addition of sugars-either prebiotic (inulin) or not (sucrose)-on its metabolism were investigated. This strain was grown at pH 5.0 or 6.0 either in glucose-based MRS medium (control) or after addition of 0.5, 1.0 or 1.5% (w/w) sucrose and inulin (GSI-MRS) in the same percentages. In the control medium at pH 5.0, cell mass concentration after 48 h of fermentation (X-max = 2.26 g/L), maximum specific growth rate (mu(max) = 0.180 h(-1)) and generation time (T-g = 3.84 h) were statistically coincident with those obtained in supplemented media. At pH 6.0 some variations occurred in these parameters between the control medium (X-max = 2.68 g/L; mu(max) = 0.32 h(-1); T-g = 2.17 h) and the above supplemented media (X-max = 1.90, 2.52 and 1.86 g/L; mu(max) = 0.26, 0.33 and 0.32 h(-1); T-g = 2.62, 2.06 and 2.11 h, respectively). Lactate production was remarkable at both pH values (13 and 16 g/L) and improved in all supplemented media, being 34 and 54% higher than in their respective control media, regardless of the concentration of these ingredients. Cell-free supernatant of the fermented control medium at pH 5.0 displayed an antimicrobial activity against Enterococcus 101 5.3% higher than that at pH 6.0 and even 20% higher than those of all supplemented media, regardless of the concentration of supplements. BLIS production was favored either at pH 5.0 or in the absence of any additional supplements, which were able, instead, to stimulate growth and lactate production by P. pentosaceus.