Lactobacillus acidophilus 223, 606, and NCFM-F among 21 isolated from fecal contents of humans demonstrated inhibitory activity attributed to bacteriocin(s). The bacteriocin(s) were heat stable and nondialyzable proteinous compounds and exhibited narrow inhibitory spectra of activity. Neither hydrogen peroxide nor pH were responsible for inhibitory action. All of the producer strains were resistant to their own bacteriocin(s). The bacteriocin(s) were purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation, gel chromatography and ion exchange chromatography for further characterization. The bacteriocin(s) of human origin exhibited similar characteristics.