The Probiotic Enterococcus Lactis SF68 as a Potential Food Fermentation Microorganism for Safe Food Production

Due to the reports describing virulent and multidrug resistant enterococci, their use has become a topic of controversy despite most of them being safe and commonly used in traditionally fermented foods worldwide. We have characterized Enterococcus lactis SF68, a probiotic strain approved by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) for use in food and feed, and find that it has a remarkable potential in food fermentations. Genome analysis revealed the potential of SF68 to metabolize a multitude of carbohydrates, including lactose and sucrose, which was substantiated experimentally. Bacteriocin biosynthesis clusters were identified and SF68 was found to display a strong inhibitory effect against Listeria monocytogenes. Fermentation-wise, E. lactis SF68 was remarkably like Lactococcus lactis and displayed a clear mixed-acid shift on slowly fermented sugars. SF68 could produce the butter aroma compounds, acetoin and diacetyl, the production of which was enhanced under aerated conditions in a strain deficient in lactate dehydrogenase activity. Overall, E. lactis SF68 was found to be versatile, with a broad carbohydrate utilization capacity, a capacity for producing bacteriocins, and an ability to grow at elevated temperatures. This is key to eliminating pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms that are frequently associated with fermented foods.