Abstract
ε-Poly-l-lysine (ε-PL) is a homo-poly-amino acid characterized by the peptide bond between the carboxyl and ε-amino groups of l-lysine. ε-PL shows a wide range of antimicrobial activity and is stable at high temperatures and under both acidic and alkaline conditions. The mechanism of the inhibitory effect of ε-PL on microbial growth is the electrostatic adsorption to the cell surface of microorganisms on the basis of its poly-cationic property. Due to this antimicrobial activity, ε-PL is now industrially produced in Japan as a food additive by a fermentation process using Streptomyces albulus. In spite of the practical application of ε-PL, the biosynthetic mechanisms of ε-PL have not been clarified at all. ε-PL producers commonly possess membrane-bound ε-PL-degrading aminopeptidase, which might play a role in self-protection.
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Yoshida, T., Nagasawa, T. ε-Poly-l-lysine: microbial production, biodegradation and application potential. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 62, 21–26 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-003-1312-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-003-1312-9