Abstract

BACTERIOCIN: AN ALTERNATIVE TO ANTIBIOTICS

Dr. Sabiha Imran*

Abstract

Bacteriocins are ribosomally synthesized antimicrobial peptides produced by microorganisms belonging to different eubacterial taxonomic branches. Most of them are small cationic membrane-active compounds that form pores in the target cells, disrupting membrane potentials and causing cell death. The production of small cationic peptides with antibacterial activity is a defense strategy found not only in bacteria, but also in plants and animals. There are a wide variety of bacteriocins produced by different bacterial genera that must be further studied. As bacteriocins have been thought as alternative bioactive substances to avoid the broad side-effects and alarming resistance dissemination produced by the use of classical antibiotics. The incorporation of bacteriocins as bioactive compounds in a pharmaceutical product needs different type of studies to demonstrate the no existence of adverse effects, which must be performed both in in vitro and in in-vivo experimental systems. Up today, the use of bacteriocins as bioactive compounds into pharmaceutical products for human use has not been accepted yet by the regulators or reference organizations. Bacteriocins are classified according to different criteria by different authors; in this review, we will summarize the principal of bacteriocin classifications, highlight their main physical and chemical characteristics, and discuss their application as an alternative to antibiotics.

Keywords: Bacteriocin, Alleopathy,Probiotic, antibiotics, resistance.