Ten strains of bacteriocin-producing lactic acid bacteria were isolated from retail cuts of meat. These 10
strains along with 11 other bacteriocin-producing lactic acid bacteria were tested for inhibitory activity against
psychrotrophic pathogens, including four strains of Listeria monocytogenes, two strains of Aeromonas
hydrophila, and two strains of Staphylococcus aureus. Inhibition due to acid, hydrogen peroxide, and lytic
bacteriophage were excluded. The proteinaceous nature of the inhibitory substance was confirmed by
demonstration of its sensitivity to proteolytic enzymes. Eight of the meat isolates had inhibitory activity against
all four L. monocytogenes strains. Bacteriocin activity against L. monocytogenes was found in all of the strains
obtained from other sources. Activity against A. hydrophila and S. aureus was also common.