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Inhibitors produced by propionibacteria and their possible roles in the ecology of skin bacteria

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 December 2011

E. A. Eady  and
K. T. Holland
E. A. Eady
Affiliation:
Department of Microbiology, University of Leeds
K. T. Holland
Affiliation:
Department of Microbiology, University of Leeds
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Synopsis

Human skin propionibacteria have been shown to produce, in vitro, a wide range of inhibitory substances including bacteriocins, bacteriolytic enzymes, bacteriophages and low molecular weight metabolites (e.g. ammonia, propionic acid). Some or all of these substances may play a role in the ecology of cutaneous populations of micro-organisms and may be involved in maintaining the balance of the normal flora. There is no evidence to suggest that they deter or exclude other transient bacteria including pathogens. Similarly, evidence in support of the in vivo production of growth inhibitors by propionibacteria with activity against other skin micro-organisms is lacking (except for bacteriophage and propionic acid) so that their potential role in controlling cutaneous populations must be interpreted with caution.

Type
Research Article
Information
Proceedings of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Section B: Biological Sciences , Volume 79 , Issue 1-3: Surface ecosystems and the interactions within them which overcome skin defence mechanisms , 1980 , pp. 193 - 199
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Society of Edinburgh 1980

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