Effect of trans-cinnamaldehyde on reducing resistance to environmental stresses in Cronobacter sakazakii

Cronobacter sakazakii is an emerging foodborne pathogen transmitted exclusively through contaminated infant formula (IFM), and associated with life-threatening infections in infants. C. sakazakii has the ability to tolerate a variety of environmental stress conditions, including heat stress, acidity, high osmotic pressure, and desiccation. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of a subinhibitory concentration (750 μM) of trans-cinnamaldehyde (TC), an ingredient in cinnamon, for reducing C. sakazakii's tolerance to these environmental stresses. Three strains of TC-treated C. sakazakii were separately subjected to high temperature (50°C, 55°C, and 60°C), acidic pH (3.3), high osmotic pressure (a(w) 0.81), and desiccation. TC (750 μM) substantially (p < 0.05) compromised stress tolerance of C. sakazakii compared to C. sakazakii cells not exposed to TC. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction results revealed that TC significantly (p < 0.05) downregulated C. sakazakii genes critical for stress tolerance and survival, including rpoS, chaperonins, phoP/Q, outer membrane porins, and osmolyte transporter genes. The efficacy of TC in reducing C. sakazakii stress tolerance underscores its potential use for controlling the pathogen by increasing its susceptibility to commonly applied hurdles in food processing.