Molecular cloning and antimicrobial activity of enterolysin A and helveticin J of bacteriolysins from metagenome of Chinese traditional fermented foods

► A significant diversity of enterolysin A and helveticin J exits in Chinese traditional fermented foods. ► The enlA (DFE5) and hlvJ (RS9) genes are cloned, and expressed in Escherichia coli, respectively. ► The EnlA (DFE5) inhibits human pathogens Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus. ► The HlvJ (RS9) inhibits Lactobacillus helveticus. ► The metagenomic approach is valid for identifying novel bacteriocins from fermented foods.