Last decade, bacteriocins have most concern due to their benefits in human health and immunity. One of the most important bacteriocin-producing bacteria is Lactobacillus plantarum (L. plantarum). Thus, this study aimed to screen for plantacirin C (plnc) predominant bacteriocin produced from L. plantarum in traditional dairy products (Milk, Cheese and yoghurt) of Assuit city in Upper Egypt. Molecular method has been used for the detection of bacteriocin-encoding genes (plnc) produced after isolation L. plantarum and identified by biochemical methods.
The findings showed that, at a proportion of 54.3%, 51 strains of L. plantarum were isolated from raw milk and conventional dairy products. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to find the genes encoding bacteriocin. Based on the molecular technique, 6 out of 51 isolates were carried plnc gene. The results concluded that raw milk is the highest sample containing plnc gene. More studies for molecular identification of plantacirin c in Egyptian dairy products should be advised. Bacteriocin has a lot of benefits for animal and human health so should be used as a natural bio-preservative, medicinal and a natural substitute for antibiotics.