Nanoencapsulation of a Bacteriocin from Pediococcus acidilactici ITV26 by Microfluidization

The bacteriocin (pediocin) produced by Pediococcus acidilactici ITV26 is a bioconservative with antilisterial activity that can be inactivated when added in free form into foods. Proteolytic enzymes or interaction/binding with some food components are among the factors that can affect its antimicrobial activity. Hence, there is a need to protect these peptides by encapsulation into liposomes as well as to control their release. The aim of this research was to establish conditions to obtain stable liposomes with pediocin, to keep their activity and to control the release of the encapsulated bacteriocin. Pediocin was purified by adsorption-desorption and liposomes were prepared by using different phosphatidylcholine concentrations (1, 3, and 5% w/v) and different operating conditions in the microfluidizer (500–1000 bar and 1–2 cycles). The liposomes obtained were characterized by using dynamic light scattering, backscattering light, and cryo transmission electron microscopy. In addition, the effect of pH on the kinetics of pediocin release was studied, and its antimicrobial activity was tested by following the growth kinetics of Listeria innocua AST-062 under different treatments with pediocin-encapsulated liposomes.