Abstract
Probiotics contain bacteria that provide benefits to the consumer’s health. Probiotic bacteria may produce proteins called bacteriocins which act as anti-microbial agents. Bacteriocins protect not only consumer against food-borne pathogenic bacteria, but also can play a role as preservatives in food. Currently, Nisin is the only bacteriocin used as a food additive, nevertheless there are other bacteriocins with a potential use as preservatives. In this work, a general overview is presented of probiotics, natural preservatives, bacteriocins from lacticbacteria, and those produced by aninsecticidal bacterium.
