In this study, we examined the antagonistic effects of sprout-borne lactic acid bacteria (LAB) on Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis. This antagonism is promoted as a means of controlling contamination during sprout production and provides additional LAB for consumers. We isolated a total of 24 LAB isolates in nine species and five genera from seven popular vegetable sprouts: alfalfa (Medicago sativa), clover (Trifolium pratense), broccoli (Brassica oleracea ssp. italica), vitamin (B. rapa ssp. narinosa), red radish (Raphanus sativus), red kohlrabi (B. oleracea var. gongylodes), and Kimchi cabbage (B. campestris var. pekinensis). Based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, the LAB species were identified as Enterococcus casseliflavus, E. faecium, E. gallinarum, E. mundtii, Lactococcus taiwanensis, Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Pediococcus pentosaceus, and Weissella cibaria, and W. confusa. A total of 16 LAB isolates in seven species including E. faecium, E. gallinarum, E. mundtii, L. taiwanensis, L. mesenteroides, P. pentosaceus, and W. cibaria showed antagonistic activity toward S. enterica. The growth inhibition of sprout LAB on S. enterica was confirmed by co-culture. Unexpectedly, sprout LAB failed to suppress the growth of S. enterica in alfalfa sprouts, whereas all LAB strains stimulate S. enterica growth even if it is not significant in some strains. The findings of this study indicate that S. enterica-antagonistic LAB are detrimental to food hygiene and will contribute to further LAB research and improved vegetable sprout production.

Introduction
Materials and Methods
    1. Seed sprouting
    2. LAB isolation
    3. Assay of LAB antibacterial activity against S. enterica
    4. 16S rRNA gene sequencing
    5. LAB suppression of S. enterica growth in co-culture
    6. LAB suppression of S. enterica growth in alfalfasprouts
Results and Discussion
    1. Sprout-borne LAB
    2. LAB suppressed S. enterica growth in co-culture
    3. LAB did not suppress S. enterica growth inalfalfa sprouts
Acknowlegement
References

• Ok Hee Choi(Research professor, Institute of Agriculture and Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52828, Korea)
• Won Il Kim(Researcher, National Institute of Agriculutural Sciences, Rural Development Administration, Wanju, 55365, Korea)
• Dae Young Son(Professor, Department of Plant Medicine / Institute of Agriculture and Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52828, Korea)
• Ye Yeong Lee(Ph.D. Cand. Department of Plant Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52828, Korea)
• Yong Sung Kang(Research professor, Institute of Agriculture and Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52828, Korea)
• Jin Woo Kim(Professor, Department of Plant Medicine / Institute of Agriculture and Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52828, Korea) Corresponding author