Characterization of antimicrobial compounds obtained from the potential probiotic Lactiplantibacillus plantarum S61 and their application as a biopreservative agent

This work aimed to characterize the antimicrobial compounds obtained from the potential probiotic Lactiplantibacillus plantarum S61, isolated from traditional fermented green olive, involved in their activity against fungi and bacteria responsible for food spoilage and poisonings. Their application as a biopreservative agent was also investigated. The culture of L. plantarum S61 showed substantial antifungal and antibacterial activity against yeasts ( Rhodotorula glutinis and Candida pelliculosa ), molds ( Penicillium digitatum , Aspergillus niger , Fusarium oxysporum , and Rhizopus oryzae ), and pathogenic bacteria ( Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 19,117, Salmonella enterica subsp . enterica ATCC 14,028, Staphylococcus aureus subsp . aureus ATCC 6538, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 49,189), with inhibition zones > 10 mm. Likewise, the cell-free supernatant (CFS) of L. plantarum S61 showed an essential inhibitory effect against fungi and bacteria, with inhibition diameters of 12.25–22.05 mm and 16.95–17.25 mm, respectively. The CFS inhibited molds’ biomass and mycelium growth, with inhibition ranges of 63.18–83.64% and 22.57–38.93%, respectively. The antifungal activity of the CFS was stable during 4 weeks of storage at 25 °C, while it gradually decreased during storage at 4 °C. Several antimicrobial compounds were evidenced in the CFS of L. plantarum S61, including organic acids, ethanol, hydrogen peroxide, diacetyl, proteins, and fatty acids. The protein fraction, purified by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC), demonstrated important antifungal activity, in relation to the fraction with molecular weight between 2 and 6 kDa. L. plantarum S61 and its CFS, tested in apple and orange fruit biopreservation, demonstrated their protective effect against P. digitatum spoilage. The CFS exhibited effectiveness in reducing Salmonella enterica subsp . enterica ATCC 14,028 in apple juice. L. plantarum S61 and/or its bioactive compounds CFS represent a promising strategy for biocontrol against pathogens and spoilage microorganisms in the agro-industry.