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Development of a More Sensitive and Specific Chromogenic Agar Medium for the Detection of Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Other Vibrio Species
Published on: November 8, 2016
Antimicrobial Activity and Mechanisms of Punicalagin against Vibrio parahaemolyticus
Hongli Liu1, Wenxiu Zhu1, Yue Zou1
1State Key Laboratory of Marine Food Processing and Safety Control, National Engineering Research Center of Seafood, School of Food Science and Technology, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian 116034, China.
Abstract:
This study sought to explore the antimicrobial activity of punicalagin against V. parahaemolyticus and its potential modes of action. V. parahaemolyticus ATCC 17802 and RIMD 2210633Sm were exposed to punicalagin, and the energy production, membrane potential, and envelope permeability, as well as the interaction with cell biomolecules, were measured using a variety of fluorescent probes combined with electrophoresis and Raman spectroscopy. Punicalagin treatment disrupted the envelope integrity and induced a decrease in intracellular ATP and pH. The uptake of 1-N-phenyl-naphtylamine (NPN) demonstrated that punicalagin weakened the outer membrane. Punicalagin damaged the cytoplasmic membrane, as indicated by the membrane depolarization and the leakage of intracellular potassium ions, proteins, and nucleic acids. Electronic microscopy observation visualized the cell damage caused by punicalagin. Further, gel electrophoresis coupled with the Raman spectrum assay revealed that punicalagin affected the protein expression of V. parahaemolyticus, and there was no effect on the integrity of genomic DNA. Therefore, the cell envelope and proteins of V. parahaemolyticus were the assailable targets of punicalagin treatment. These findings suggested that punicalagin may be promising as a natural bacteriostatic agent to control the growth of V. parahaemolyticus.
Insights
Punicalagin disrupts the cell envelope and damages proteins in Vibrio parahaemolyticus, inhibiting its growth. This natural compound shows promise as a bacteriostatic agent against this bacterium.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Natural Product Chemistry
- Food Safety
Background:
- Vibrio parahaemolyticus is a significant foodborne pathogen causing gastrointestinal illness.
- Antimicrobial resistance necessitates the development of novel therapeutic agents.
- Punicalagin, a polyphenol from pomegranate, exhibits various biological activities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the antimicrobial effects of punicalagin against Vibrio parahaemolyticus.
- To elucidate the mechanisms underlying punicalagin's antibacterial action.
- To assess punicalagin's potential as a natural agent for controlling V. parahaemolyticus.
Main Methods:
- Exposure of V. parahaemolyticus strains to punicalagin.
- Measurement of intracellular ATP, pH, membrane potential, and envelope permeability using fluorescent probes.
- Analysis of cell biomolecule interactions via electrophoresis and Raman spectroscopy.
- Electron microscopy for visualizing cell damage.
Main Results:
- Punicalagin disrupted the cell envelope integrity, weakening the outer membrane and damaging the cytoplasmic membrane.
- Treatment led to decreased intracellular ATP and pH, and potassium ion leakage.
- Punicalagin affected V. parahaemolyticus protein expression without damaging genomic DNA.
Conclusions:
- The cell envelope and proteins of V. parahaemolyticus are key targets for punicalagin.
- Punicalagin demonstrates significant bacteriostatic activity against V. parahaemolyticus.
- Punicalagin holds potential as a natural antimicrobial agent for food safety applications.
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