Bacteriocin-like substance inhibits potato soft rot caused byErwinia carotovora

Abstract

Soft rot is a major problem encountered in potatoes during postharvest storage. The soft rot bacterium Erwinia carotovora was inhibited by a novel bacteriocin-like substance (BLS) produced by Bacillus licheniformis P40. The BLS caused a bactericidal effect on E. carotovora cells at 30 µg mL–1. Transmission electron microscopy showed that BLS-treated cells presented wrinkled bacterial surfaces and shrinkage of the whole cell, indicating plasmolysis. Erwinia carotovora cells treated with BLS were analyzed by FTIR showing differences in the 1390 cm–1and 1250–1220 cm–1bands, corresponding to assignments of membrane lipids. BLS was effective in preventing E. carotovora spoilage on potato tubers, reducing the symptoms of soft rot at 240 µg mL–1and higher concentrations. Soft rot development was completely blocked at 3.7 mg mL–1. This BLS showed potential to protect potato tubers during storage. Key words: bacteriocin, plant pathogen, potato, soft rot, storage.