Distribution of ε-Poly- l -Lysine Synthetases in Coryneform Bacteria Isolated from Cheese and Human Skin

Abstract

Every year, microbial contamination causes billions of tons of food wasted and millions of cases of illness. ε-Poly- l -lysine has potent, wide-spectrum inhibitory activity and is heat stable and biodegradable. It has been approved for food preservation by an increasing number of countries. ε-Poly- l -lysine is produced from soil bacteria of the genus Streptomyces , also producers of various antibiotic drugs and toxins and not considered to be a naturally occurring food component.