Abstract
BACKGROUND: Weissellicin 110 is the only bacteriocin reported in Weissella cibaria up to now. This bacteriocin represents several unique features. This is the first report on the gene sequence that encodes for the bacteriocin. OBJECTIVES: Providing a rapid detection method to isolate the weissellicin 110 encoding gene and determination of the bacteriocin distribution were the objectives. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Bacteriocin from W. cibaria 860106 was purified and analyzed using mass spectrometry for proteins sequencing. The draft genome sequence of W. cibaria 860106 was generated using next generation sequencing. PCR was applied to detect the weissellicin 110 encoding gene. RESULTS: The molecular weight and partial protein sequence were obtained for the bacteriocin from W. cibaria 860106. An open reading frame (ORF) was identified as weissellicin 110 from the draft genome sequence. PCR primers were designed to amplify the weissellicin 110 encoding gene and these primers detected sequences from other 27 BLIS-producing W. cibaria strains previously isolated from either various Taiwanese fermented foods or the respective raw materials. CONCLUSIONS: The genetic information of weissellicin 110 was obtained, enabling rapid detection of the weissellicin 110 encoding gene. Results suggest that weissellicin 110 producing W. cibaria strains are widely distributed inTaiwanese fermented foods.