Enhanced production of pediocin C20 by a native strain of Pediococcus acidilactici C20 in an optimized food-grade medium

The potentiality of a native isolate, Pediococcus acidilactici C20, to produce quantifiable amounts of pediocin C20 on whey permeate was studied. The molecular basis for the presence of a β-gal like gene was shown by DNA dot-blot technique followed by β-galactosidase (β-Gal) assay on native polyacrylamide gel as experimental evidence for lactose hydrolysis. Production of pediocin C20 was found to be 1-1.5-fold excess in lactose-based medium as compared to medium with glucose. Optimized whey permeate supplemented with 2% yeast extract gave cell growth of 3.5, OD600 and pediocin C20 activity of 150 × 103 AU ml−1 equivalent to that obtained by growth in commercial MRS broth.