Distribution and antimicrobial activity of lactic acid bacteria associated with lychee fruits

Abstract

Lychee is a popular fruit in China and southeastern Asia. Although it is very popular, the microbiota of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) associated with lychee remains poorly described. Lychee samples from seven different markets located in three cities in Taiwan were collected and a total of 104 LAB were isolated. Through RFLP analyses of 16S rDNA and rpoA genes for grouping and 16S rRNA gene sequencing, these isolates were finally divided into 6 groups (A to F). The most common genera of LAB in lychee samples were Weissella and Leuconostoc. Weissella confusa strain E was found to produce a bacteriocin active against Listeria monocytogenes and some other Gram-positive bacteria. Mass spectrometry analysis revealed the bacteriocin mass to be approximately 3426.77 Da, which is different to other known Weissella bacteriocins. In addition, strain MB7 included in the genus Leuconostoc was identified as potential novel species or subspecies on the basis of phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA, rpoA and pheS gene sequences. Thus, this is the first report describing the distribution and varieties of LAB associated with lychee fruits. In addition, one potential novel LAB species or subspecies and one potential novel bacteriocin were also reported in this study.