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Physiology and Biochemistry

Production, Properties, and Morphology of Bacteriocins from Erwinia chrysanthemi. E. Echandi, Professor, Department of Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh 27650; J. W. Moyer, assistant professor, Department of Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh 27650. Phytopathology 69:1204-1207. Accepted for publication 16 May 1979. Copyright 1979 The American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-69-1204.

Sixteen of 18 Erwinia chrysanthemi strains produced bacteriocins. The 18 strains were divided into five types according to a scheme devised by using three strains as bacteriocin producers. The activity spectra of all but one of the bacteriocinogenic strains was limited to E. chrysanthemi. Bacteriocins from two strains were characterized further. These bacteriocins were induced with ultraviolet light and mitomycin C, precipitated with ammonium sulfate, and inactivated between 60 and 70 C; they were not affected by trypsin, DNase, or RNase. Bacteriocins from both strains were composed of a contractile sheath and core. Loose cores and empty contracted sheaths were observed in preparations from both bacteriocins.