Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) can produce antimicrobial
substances with the capacity to inhibit the growth of
pathogenic and spoilage micro-organisms. Organic
acids, hydrogen peroxide, diacetyl and bacteriocins are
included among these compounds (Daeschel,1989).
Interest in naturally produced antimicrobial agents,
such as bacteriocins, is on the rise, since nowadays
consumers demand ‘‘natural’’ and ‘‘minimally processed’’
food (Cleveland et al., 2001). The production
of fermented foods such as cheese, yoghurts, fermented
milk or preserved meats in which LAB are involved is a
technological process that has been in use for centuries
and is aimed at diversifying and preserving foodstuffs
by means of acidification. Starter cultures made up