LABiocin database: a new database designed specifically for Lactic Acid Bacteria bacteriocins

Abstract Although bacteriocins from lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are successfully applied as natural alternatives to food preservation as well as to antibiotics, they are scattered through literature and unexhaustive databases. For these reasons, we have developed the LABiocin database, a specialized database on LAB bacteriocins. The database was stored and compiled using MySQL with NetBeans IDE as database's platform. Important data are compiled such as the bacteriocin name, the class to which it belongs, the amino acids and the nucleic acid sequences if available. In addition, the target microorganisms, the origin, and status of the producing strains as well as their culture conditions and their extraction and purification methods are also mentioned in this new database. A phylogenetic tree for the mature peptide bacteriocin sequences has also been created. LABiocin is an interactive database gathering up to 517 LAB bacteriocins using a suitable user-friendly interface and integrates several tools and services. Besides data searching tools, a BLAST tool was integrated into the database allowing the user to perform a homology search against mature peptide sequences. Users can be linked to other databases that contain additional information especially about predicted bacteriocin structure and mechanisms of action. LABiocin database would allow better and more comprehensive functional analysis of this special group of antimicrobial peptides. This would certainly be useful in food preservation or food safety applications, but also has substantial implications for the development of new drugs for medical use. LABiocin database is available at labiocin.net.