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Inactivation of Enterobacter sakazakii in reconstituted infant formula by trans-cinnamaldehyde
Mary Anne Roshni Amalaradjou1, Thomas A Hoagland, Kumar Venkitanarayanan
1Department of Animal Science, Unit-4040, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, USA.
Insights
Trans-cinnamaldehyde effectively reduced Enterobacter sakazakii in infant formula. This natural compound, derived from cinnamon, shows promise for food safety without harming intestinal cells.
Area of Science:
- Food Microbiology
- Food Safety
- Antimicrobial Agents
Background:
- Enterobacter sakazakii is a dangerous pathogen causing severe infections in neonates.
- Dried infant formula is a primary source of Enterobacter sakazakii contamination.
- Trans-cinnamaldehyde, a natural compound from cinnamon, is GRAS-approved for food use.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the antibacterial efficacy of trans-cinnamaldehyde against Enterobacter sakazakii in reconstituted infant formula.
- To assess the safety of trans-cinnamaldehyde by determining its cytotoxicity on human intestinal cells.
Main Methods:
- A 5-strain mixture of Enterobacter sakazakii was inoculated into infant formula with varying concentrations of trans-cinnamaldehyde.
- Samples were incubated at different temperatures (37, 23, 8, 4°C) and time points (0, 6, 10, 24h).
- Bacterial populations were enumerated, and cytotoxicity was tested on INT-407 cells.
Main Results:
- Trans-cinnamaldehyde significantly reduced Enterobacter sakazakii populations compared to controls (P<0.05).
- A 0.5% concentration eliminated the pathogen by 4h at 37/23°C and 10h at 8/4°C.
- No cytotoxic effects were observed on human embryonic intestinal cells at tested concentrations.
Conclusions:
- Trans-cinnamaldehyde demonstrates significant potential as an antimicrobial agent to control Enterobacter sakazakii in infant formula.
- Further sensory studies are necessary to confirm its suitability for widespread use in food products.
Abstract:
Enterobacter sakazakii is an emerging pathogen which causes a life-threatening form of meningitis, necrotizing colitis and meningoencephalitis in neonates and children. Epidemiological studies implicate dried infant formula as the principal source of the pathogen. Trans-cinnamaldehyde is a major component of bark extract of cinnamon. It is classified as generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and is approved for use in food (21 CFR 182.60). The objective of this study was to determine the antibacterial effect of trans-cinnamaldehyde on E. sakazakii in reconstituted infant formula. A 5-strain mixture of E. sakazakii was inoculated into 10 ml samples of reconstituted infant formula (at 6.0 log CFU/ml) containing 0%, 0.15%, 0.3% or 0.5% trans-cinnamaldehyde. The samples were incubated at 37, 23, 8 or 4 degrees C for 0, 6, 10 and 24 h, and the surviving populations of E. sakazakii at each sampling time were enumerated. In addition, potential cytotoxicity of trans-cinnamaldehyde, if any, was determined on human embryonic intestinal cells (INT-407). The treatments containing trans-cinnamaldehyde significantly reduced (P<0.05) the population of E. sakazakii, compared to the controls. Trans-cinnamaldehyde (0.5%) reduced the pathogen to undetectable levels by 4 h of incubation at 37 or 23 degrees C and 10 h of incubation at 8 or 4 degrees C, respectively. Trans-cinnamaldehyde produced no cytotoxic effects on human embryonic intestinal cells at the tested concentrations. Results indicate that trans-cinnamaldehyde could potentially be used to kill E. sakazakii in reconstituted infant formula, however sensory studies are warranted before recommending its use.
