Induced resistance phenomena to bacteriocins of lactic acid bacteria

Bacteriocins of lactic acid bacteria, small anti-bacterial peptides, have been studied for the last ten years because of their potential food industrial applications. These peptides could be either added to alimentary products (nisin: E234) or produced in situ. The apparition of bacteriocins resistance phenotype in initially susceptible strains attracted searchers interest. Resistance phenomena are bound to action mechanisms of these biocide peptides which primary target is the cell membrane. The present review attempts to group knowledge relative to resistance phenomena, in terms of acquisition, stability and resistance mechanisms.