Effect of environmental factors on production of lichenin, a chromosomally encoded bacteriocin-like compound produced by Bacillus licheniformis 26L-10/3RA

Effect of environmental factors on production of lichenin, a bacteriocin-like compound produced by Bacillus licheniformis 26L-10/3RA isolated from buffalo rumen was studied. Lichenin represents the first anaerobiosis-specific expression of broad-spectrum antibacterial compound effective only under anaerobic conditions. Production of lichenin by B. licheniformis 26L-10/3RA was found to be very high at 39 °C in L-10 medium supplemented with 0.5% glucose and 20% (w/v) inert thermocol beads. Lichenin production was highest at pH 6.8 after 72-96 h of incubation. Our study also indicated that lichenin is not a plasmid-linked characteristic and is encoded by chromosomal DNA. Results obtained can be used in large-scale production of lichenin for potential application in manipulating rumen function intended for improving productivity of the ruminants.