Natural Preservatives-Research Progress in Class II a Bacteriocins

Bacteriocins are ribosomally synthesized antimicrobial peptides produced by microorganisms. Class IIa bacteriocins (pediocin-like bacteriocins) are a major subgroup of bacteriocins from lactic acid bacteria. Class IIa bacteriocins have the potential of application in food industry since they exert strong biological activity against foodborne pathogen Listeria. The present review provides an overview of the knowledge of class IIa bacteriocins in the aspects of structure, mode of action, genetic characteristics as well as food applications.