Genomic analysis of Enterococcus durans NT21, a putative bacteriocin-producing isolate

Enterococcus species are a long-standing and non-pathogenic commensal bacterium, representing an important part of the normal. Enterococcus durans is a rarely isolated species from animals and humans, and it was a tiny constituent of human oral cavity and animal intestinal flora, as well as animal-derived foods, particularly dairy products. This study evaluated the security of our strain E. durans NT21 by using whole-genome sequencing (WGS), physicochemical features, and antimicrobial activity. The complete genomic of our strain Enterococcus durans NT21was sequenced and analyzed by using several bioinformatics tools to identify bacteriocin genes, virulence genes, antibiotic resistance genes, Crispr-Cas and pathogenicity islands. The results showed that our strain NT21 lacks the presence of virulence genes, pathogenicity islands, plasmids and has only two antibiotic resistance genes. On the other hand, it produces three bacteriocin-like inhibitory substances (Enterolysin A, P and L50a). It has six gene-encoded Crisper-Cas and one cluster Crispr-Cas gene. According to our findings, E. durans NT21 is a possible probiotic strain that is safe for both human and animal use.