LAUSR

Abstract Eight lactic acid bacterial (LAB) strains were newly isolated from fresh shrimps ( Penaeus vannamei and Palaemon serratus ) and characterised by phenotypic and molecular tests. These isolates, identified as Enterococcus lactis producing the enterocins A, B and/or P, displayed interesting antagonistic activities against pathogenic bacteria and fungi. Regarding biotechnological properties, E. lactis strains had generally great redox potentials, good proteolytic activities ( P vanA and vanB for vancomycin. Furthermore, virulence traits including the presence of virulence factors, haemolysin and gelatinase, were not detected. This work suggests that our E. lactis strains can be considered as promising candidates for future applications as a starter, adjunct or protective cultures or could constitute new potential probiotics.