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Polygonatum sibiricum Extract Inactivates Cronobacter sakazakii Isolated from Powdered Infant Formula
Yunhe Chang1,2, Yiru Zhai3, Yan Ma4
1Food and Pharmaceutical Engineering Institute, Guiyang University, Guiyang, China.
Insights
Polygonum sibiricum extract (PSE) effectively inhibits Cronobacter sakazakii (C. sakazakii) in powdered infant formula. PSE disrupts bacterial cell membranes and reduces contamination in biofilms and formula.
Area of Science:
- Food microbiology
- Natural product chemistry
- Bacteriology
Background:
- Cronobacter sakazakii (C. sakazakii) is a pathogen found in powdered infant formula (PIF).
- Natural antibacterial agents are sought to control C. sakazakii contamination in PIF.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the antibacterial activity of Polygonum sibiricum extract (PSE) against C. sakazakii.
- To elucidate the antibacterial mechanism of PSE and its efficacy in PIF and biofilms.
Main Methods:
- Determined minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC).
- Assessed effects on cell membrane potential, ROS levels, permeability, and cell morphology.
- Evaluated PSE efficacy against C. sakazakii in biofilms and PIF.
Main Results:
- MIC and MBC of PSE against C. sakazakii were 4 mg/mL and 8 mg/mL.
- PSE caused cell membrane depolarization, increased permeability, and damaged cell morphology.
- PSE significantly reduced C. sakazakii in PIF and biofilms.
Conclusions:
- PSE exhibits potent antibacterial activity against C. sakazakii.
- PSE acts by disrupting bacterial cell membranes and integrity.
- PSE shows potential as a natural antibacterial agent for PIF safety.
Abstract:
This study aimed to investigate the antibacterial activity and mechanism of Polygonum sibiricum extract (PSE) against Cronobacter sakazakii (C. sakazakii) isolated from powdered infant formula (PIF). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), and growth curves were measured to evaluate the antibacterial effects. The antibacterial mechanism was elucidated by revealing the changes in cell membrane potential, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, cell membrane permeability, protein and nucleic acid leakage, and cell morphology of C. sakazakii. The antibacterial effects of PSE against C. sakazakii in biofilm on stainless steel and in PIF were further analyzed. The results showed that the MIC and MBC of PSE against C. sakazakii were 4 mg/mL and 8 mg/mL, respectively. The growth of C. sakazakii can be completely inhibited by two MIC of PSE. Cell membrane depolarization, increased and then decreased intracellular ROS content, significantly increased cell membrane permeability (p < 0.05), more leakage of intracellular protein and nucleic acid, and severely damaged cell morphology were found in C. sakazakii after treatment with PSE. Furthermore, PSE can significantly reduce the viable bacteria count of C. sakazakii in biofilm on stainless steel and in PIF (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that PSE has the potential to serve as a natural antibacterial agent to reduce contamination by C. sakazakii in PIF.
