Page data last changed: . Chemistry registry snapshot: . Registry refreshes and identity assessments are separate from scientific content review.
A 34-residue lantibiotic used safely in food for decades that both sequesters lipid II and drills membrane pores.
Also known as: E234
Part of the Foundational & therapeutic peptides cluster
Overview
Nisin is a 34-amino-acid lantibiotic produced by Lactococcus lactis, containing unusual post-translationally modified residues such as lanthionine and dehydroalanine. It uses lipid II both as a docking molecule and to assemble membrane pores, giving broad activity against Gram-positive bacteria. Approved as the food preservative E234, it is one of the most widely used antimicrobial peptides. This page is educational and not medical advice.
Source & context
Biological / chemical source: Lactic acid bacterium Lactococcus lactis
Primary research or clinical context: Approved food preservative (E234); studied as an antimicrobial
Lantibiotic chemistry
Nisin is ribosomally synthesized and then enzymatically modified to install thioether-bridged lanthionine rings and dehydrated residues. These rings let it clamp onto the pyrophosphate of lipid II, a cell-wall precursor, which both inhibits peptidoglycan synthesis and nucleates stable pores in the membrane.
Use in food and research
Nisin has been added to cheese, processed meats and beverages for decades to suppress spoilage and pathogenic Gram-positive bacteria such as Listeria monocytogenes, typically at low parts-per-million levels. Its dual mechanism and long safety record make it a model system for engineering new lantibiotics.
Structure & chemistry
Molecular identity & reference confidence
Source-supported reference
Reference values are taken from the cited molecular record or curated profile. A database match is not independent laboratory verification; modifications, counter-ions, and formulations can change the measured mass.
- Molecular form
- Nisin (source record; form not independently established)
- Species
- Not established by this molecular identity audit
- Termini (N / C)
- Not specified / Not specified
Average reference mass
Reference policy updated: 2026-10-05
- PubChem molecular record · 2026-10-01
- Molecular formula
- C143H230N42O37S7
- Average reference mass
- ≈ 3,354.1
- PubChem CID: 16129667
- CAS RN: 1414-45-5
- UNII: EN8XKG133D
Chemistry values: PubChem · fetched 2026-10-01.
Clinical development snapshot
ClinicalTrials.gov lists 5 registered studies with “Nisin” as an intervention (snapshot 2026-09-06). A registry footprint is not evidence of efficacy or approval.
| NCT | Title | Phase | Status | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCT07088679 | Natural Bioactive Gel for Peri-Implantitis | Not applicable | recruiting | 2026-07-09 |
| NCT06097468 | Nisin in Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OCSCC) | Phase 2 | recruiting | 2026-04-13 |
| NCT05975177 | Evaluation of the Efficacy of STERIFY GEL in the Treatment of Periodontitis Following Scaling and Root Planing | Not applicable | completed | 2023-08-07 |
| NCT02928042 | Inhibition Effects of Probiotics on Pathogens Associated With VAP | — | completed | 2018-01-18 |
| NCT02467972 | Functional Ingredients: Effect in Gastrointestinal System | Not applicable | completed | 2015-06-17 |
Nisin — reconstitution calculator
Enter how much peptide is in the vial and how much diluent (e.g. bacteriostatic water) is added. The tool returns the resulting solution concentration — and, for any amount you type, the volume it corresponds to. This is educational arithmetic, not a dosing recommendation.
Reference form: Nisin (source record; form not independently established)Average reference mass: 3,354.1 Da
Enter an amount to see the volume it corresponds to.
Educational concentration mathematics only. This tool does not recommend a dose, amount, or protocol, and nothing here is medical advice. Many peptides are not authorized by Health Canada for human use — see our reconstitution and bacteriostatic-water guides for context.
FAQ about Nisin
What is Nisin?+
Nisin is a 34-amino-acid lantibiotic produced by Lactococcus lactis, containing unusual post-translationally modified residues such as lanthionine and dehydroalanine. It uses lipid II both as a docking molecule and to assemble membrane pores, giving broad activity against Gram-positive bacteria. Approved as the food preservative E234, it is one of the most widely used antimicrobial peptides. This page is educational and not medical advice.
What Canadian product status is recorded for Nisin?+
Canadian product status for Nisin has not been verified in this profile. No verified record here does not mean no authorization exists. Status depends on the product, formulation and use; consult Health Canada's product records.
What is the typical length of Nisin?+
Nisin is commonly described as approximately 34 amino acids (Lantibiotic (ribosomal antimicrobial peptide)).
Related peptides
References & further reading
- 1.Field et al. (2023). After a century of nisin research - where are we now?. FEMS Microbiol Rev
- 2.Charest et al. (2024). Nisin Inhibition of Gram-Negative Bacteria. Microorganisms
- 3.Shin et al. (2016). Biomedical applications of nisin. J Appl Microbiol
- 4.Özel et al. (2018). Innovative approaches to nisin production. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol
- 5.da Silva Oliveira et al. (2024). Nisin variants: What makes them different and unique?. Peptides
- 6.Wu et al. (2023). Nisin: From a structural and meat preservation perspective. Food Microbiol
- 7.Cheigh et al. (2005). Nisin biosynthesis and its properties. Biotechnol Lett
- 8.Zheng et al. (2022). Nisin Variants Generated by Protein Engineering and Their Properties. Bioengineering (Basel)
- 9.PubChem — compound summary for Nisin (CID 16129667)
- 10.Wikipedia — Nisin