Sublethal injury makes Gram-negative and resistant Gram-positive bacteria sensitive to the bacteriocins, pediocin AcH and nisin

Gram‐negative and some Gram‐positive bacteria that are resistant to bacteriocins of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were subjected to sublethal stresses and treated with nisin and pediocin AcH. Both bacteriocins reduced the viability of cells surviving sublethal stresses. The results explain the possible mechanisms by which bacteriocins of LAB enter through the walls (or outer membranes) to destabilize the cytoplasmic (or inner) membranes and kill cells of sensitive Gram‐positive and resistant, but injured, Gram‐negative and Gram‐positive bacteria.