core. Cured salami (as available in
the market) had no detectable levels of penicillin. The reason
for the decay of penicillin during the curing process is unclear,
although it may be due to inactivation by exposure of the
antibiotic to an acid pH for prolonged periods of time.
Colonization by P. nalgiovense of salami during the early
stages of the curing process may be beneficial by preventing the
growth of undesirable bacteria on the surface of the soft sausage.
Cured salami does not contain detectable levels of penicillin,
excluding the possible induction of undesirable crossresistance
to b-lactam antibiotics from penicillin present in the
meat. Disruption of the penicillin gene might be useful for
obtaining starter strains unable to produce penicillin, although
the ability to colonize the salami also must be maintained in
the disarmed strains.