Garmasheva I. Taxonomic position and biological activity of enterococci

Identification of collection enterococci strains according to modern systematic was carried out. Strains were identified as Enterococcus faecium, E. durans, E. hirae, E. faecalis using microbiologal and molecular-genetic methods. Fatty acid composition of cell lipids was determined. Effectiveness of traditional phenotypic differentiation schemes of enterococci in comparison with molecular-genetic identification was evaluated. Antagonistic activities of enterococci against reference strains of opportunisitc human pathogens were investigated depending on nutrient medium composition. Structural genes of enterocin A, B, P were detected in 64% strains of enterococci. Adhesive properties in vitro on human buccal cells and resistance to antibiotics were determined. Three strains of E. durans that are perspective for practical use as probiotic are selected.