Antimicrobial Metabolites: Production, Analysis and Application

A special issue of Fermentation (ISSN 2311-5637). This special issue belongs to the section "Microbial Metabolism, Physiology & Genetics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 May 2025 | Viewed by 4129

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Instituto de Biociencias, Universidad Autónoma de Chiapas, Boulevard Príncipe Akishino Sin Número Colonia, Solidaridad 2000, Tapachula Chiapas 30798, Mexico
Interests: agro-food bio-technology of tropical products; unconventional technologies to extend the shelf life of food products; sensory analysis of food products; molecular studies focused on plants and microorganisms of food interest; search for lactic acid bacteria and their evaluation for various purposes (probiotics, antimicrobials, starter cultures, etc.)
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Pathogenic microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, yeasts) cause severe food losses and the critical issues of poisoning and damage to plants. In addition to this, outbreaks of resistance to conventional antimicrobials (antibacterial, antifungal) have encouraged the search for metabolites with antimicrobial activity derived from microbial fermentation.

This Special Issue will receive high-quality papers that present results that allow knowledge to be gained in the production, analysis, and applications of metabolites derived from fermentations. Topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Isolation of microorganisms with the capacity to produce antimicrobial metabolites.
  • Analysis of the mode of action of antimicrobial metabolites.
  • Optimization of the production of antimicrobial metabolites.
  • Identification of new antimicrobial metabolites.

Dr. Alfredo Vázquez-Ovando
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Fermentation is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2100 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • antibacterial
  • antifungal
  • peptides
  • lactic acid
  • organic acids
  • yeast
  • mold
  • bacteriocins

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 4830 KiB  
Article
A Novel Pyrazinone Derivative with Anti-MRSA Activity, Produced by Streptomyces anulatus Isolated from the Rhizosphere of Malus trilobata in Lebanon
by Dany Abi Chahine, Bassel Awada, Ghada Derbaj, Aya Hanna, Antoine Abou Fayad and Mireille Kallassy Awad
Fermentation 2025, 11(4), 222; https://doi.org/10.3390/fermentation11040222 - 16 Apr 2025
Viewed by 176
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a significant global health threat, largely driven by the overuse and misuse of antibiotics. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a multidrug-resistant pathogen, remains a critical target for novel antibiotic development. This study explores the rhizosphere of the wild apple tree [...] Read more.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a significant global health threat, largely driven by the overuse and misuse of antibiotics. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a multidrug-resistant pathogen, remains a critical target for novel antibiotic development. This study explores the rhizosphere of the wild apple tree (Malus trilobata) in Lebanon as a potential source of antibacterial compounds. A bacterial strain, MR7S4, identified as Streptomyces anulatus, was isolated and characterized. Its crude extracts exhibited potent activity against Gram-positive pathogens, with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of 2 µg/mL against S. aureus ATCC 29213, S. aureus Newman, and S. aureus N315 (MRSA), and of 1 µg/mL against Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 19433. Bio-guided fractionation and structural analysis identified a novel antibacterial pyrazinone derivative, MR7S4-F3. This compound demonstrated MIC values of 4–16 µg/mL against Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633, multiple S. aureus strains, E. faecalis ATCC 19433, E. faecium DSM 17050 (VRE), and E. faecium DSM 20478, while exhibiting no activity against Gram-negative bacteria. Whole-genome sequencing of MR7S4 revealed 35 biosynthetic gene clusters, underscoring its potential for natural product discovery. These findings highlight the untapped microbial diversity of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region as a valuable reservoir for antibiotic discovery. MR7S4-F3 emerges as a promising bioactive scaffold, addressing the urgent need for new therapeutic options to combat AMR. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antimicrobial Metabolites: Production, Analysis and Application)
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19 pages, 6097 KiB  
Article
Antibacterial Efficacy of Feline-Derived Lactic Acid Bacteria against Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli: A Comprehensive In Vitro Analysis
by Weiwei Wang, Hao Dong, Qianqian Chen, Xiaohan Chang, Longjiao Wang, Chengyi Miao, Shuxing Chen, Lishui Chen, Ran Wang, Shaoyang Ge and Wei Xiong
Fermentation 2024, 10(10), 514; https://doi.org/10.3390/fermentation10100514 - 10 Oct 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1621 | Correction
Abstract
This study evaluated the antibacterial efficacy of 700 feline-derived lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains against enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC), a common cause of diarrhea in cats. Following comprehensive screening, strains ZY25 and ZY35 were identified as the most effective, with inhibition zones of [...] Read more.
This study evaluated the antibacterial efficacy of 700 feline-derived lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains against enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC), a common cause of diarrhea in cats. Following comprehensive screening, strains ZY25 and ZY35 were identified as the most effective, with inhibition zones of ≥22 mm. These strains demonstrated strong tolerance against stress conditions, such as low pH, bile salts, and gastrointestinal fluids, alongside high hydrophobicity and auto-aggregation abilities. Safety evaluations confirmed the absence of hemolytic activity, virulence factors, and antibiotic resistance genes. The antibacterial activity of these strains is attributed to the production of organic acids, particularly lactic acid and acetic acid. These findings suggest that strains ZY25 and ZY35 have potential as natural and effective probiotic treatments for managing EPEC-induced diarrhea in cats, thus offering an alternative to conventional antibiotics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antimicrobial Metabolites: Production, Analysis and Application)
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Review

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27 pages, 2570 KiB  
Review
Expanding Layers of Bacteriocin Applications: From Food Preservation to Human Health Interventions
by Furkan Demirgül, Halil İbrahim Kaya, Redife Aslıhan Ucar, Naciye Afranur Mitaf and Ömer Şimşek
Fermentation 2025, 11(3), 142; https://doi.org/10.3390/fermentation11030142 - 13 Mar 2025
Viewed by 934
Abstract
Bacteriocins, ribosomally synthesized by bacteria, have long been recognized for their role in ensuring food safety and security due to their antibacterial effects against foodborne pathogens and spoilage bacteria. However, recent advancements have unveiled their expanding potential beyond food applications, with increasing evidence [...] Read more.
Bacteriocins, ribosomally synthesized by bacteria, have long been recognized for their role in ensuring food safety and security due to their antibacterial effects against foodborne pathogens and spoilage bacteria. However, recent advancements have unveiled their expanding potential beyond food applications, with increasing evidence of their efficacy against clinically significant pathogenic bacteria, biofilm formation, viral infections, and even cancer. These emerging discoveries have continuously added new layers to the application of bacteriocins, extending their relevance from food preservation to broader human health interventions. To further harness this expanding potential, various innovative strategies have been developed to overcome traditional limitations associated with bacteriocin use. Instead of directly employing bacteriocins or bacteriocin-producing bacterial cultures, novel approaches, such as incorporating them into films and packaging materials or coupling them with nanoparticles, have demonstrated enhanced effectiveness. In this review, we examine the evolving landscape of bacteriocin applications and shed light on the expanding functional spectrum of bacteriocins for both food safety and human health, although some important challenges and limitations remain. By analyzing the recent literature and innovative technological advancements, we highlight how bacteriocins are continuously evolving, opening new frontiers for their use and reinforcing their significance beyond their conventional roles. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antimicrobial Metabolites: Production, Analysis and Application)
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Other

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2 pages, 163 KiB  
Correction
Correction: Wang et al. Antibacterial Efficacy of Feline-Derived Lactic Acid Bacteria against Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli: A Comprehensive In Vitro Analysis. Fermentation 2024, 10, 514
by Weiwei Wang, Hao Dong, Qianqian Chen, Xiaohan Chang, Longjiao Wang, Chengyi Miao, Shuxing Chen, Lishui Chen, Ran Wang, Shaoyang Ge and Wei Xiong
Fermentation 2024, 10(12), 622; https://doi.org/10.3390/fermentation10120622 - 6 Dec 2024
Viewed by 525
Abstract
Some paragraphs were missing from the original publication [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antimicrobial Metabolites: Production, Analysis and Application)
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