Degradation of sinigrin by Lactobacillus agilis strain R16

Forty-two lactobacilli were screened for their potential to degrade glucosinolate sinigrin. One of them, strain R16, demonstrated a high level of sinigrin degradation; it was identified as Lactobacillus agilis. nigrin degrading activity of L. agilis R16 could only be demonstrated when intact cells were used. The products of sinigrin degradation are allyl-isothiocyanate (AITC) and glucose (which is further fermented to dl-lactic acid), suggesting that myrosinase activity is involved. The activity was induced by the presence of sinigrin. Glucose inhibited the myrosinase activity, even in induced cells. acillus agilis R16 was able to grow on an extract of brown mustard seed and caused glucosinolate degradation.