Haider Khan
Doctor of Philosophy, (Biotechnology)
Study Completed: 2013
College of Sciences
Citation
Thesis Title
Production, Characterization and Utilization of the Bacteriocin Produced by Enterococcus faecalis B9510
Read article at Massey Research Online: 
Mr Khan aimed to identify and characterize an antibacterial substance (bacteriocin) produced by a local bacterial isolate Enterococcus faecalis B9510. Experiments revealed that the bacteriocin is a heat sensitive protein known as enterolysin A. Enterolysin A was found to effectively kill many bacterial species (such as Lactococcus lactis, Streptococcus thermophilus, andPediococcus pentosaceus). It was also found to be effective against some pathogenic bacteria (such as Listeria monocytogenes and Staphlyococcus aureus). A novel finding was that enterolysin A kills sensitive bacteria by cleaving their cell walls like an enzyme. To investigate an application for this bacteriocin (Enterolysin A) was coated onto polyethylene film and was found to effectively control the growth of a spoilage micro-organism. A coated film can therefore be used as antimicrobial packaging to control spoilage in food.
Supervisors
Associate Professor Pak Yu
Professor Steve Flint