Effects of natural antimicrobials on bacterial cell hydrophobicity, adhesion, and zeta potential

• Published in: Arhiv za higijenu rada i toksikologiju Vol. 67; no. 1; p. 39
• Main Authors: Kurinčič, Marija, Jeršek, Barbara, Klančnik, Anja, Možina, Sonja Smole, Fink, Rok, Dražić, Goran, Raspor, Peter, Bohinc, Klemen
• Format: Journal Article Paper
• Language: English
• Published: Croatia Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health 01.03.2016; Institut za medicinska istraživanja i medicinu rada
• Subjects: Anti-Infective Agents - pharmacology; Bacillus cereus - drug effects; Bacterial Adhesion - drug effects; Catechin - analogs & derivatives; Catechin - pharmacology; Cinnamates - pharmacology; Coumaric Acids - pharmacology; Depsides - pharmacology; epigallocatechin gallate; ferulic acid; Food Contamination - prevention & control; Food Safety - methods; Gram-Negative Bacteria - drug effects; Gram-Positive Bacteria - drug effects; Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions - drug effects; polystyrene; Polystyrenes; Rosmarinic Acid
• ISSN: 0004-1254; 1848-6312
• DOI: 10.1515/aiht-2016-67-2720

Interactions between bacterial cells and contact materials play an important role in food safety and technology. As bacterial strains become ever more resistant to antibiotics, the aim of this study was to analyse adhesion of selected foodborne bacterial strains on polystyrene surface and to evaluate the effects of natural antimicrobials on bacterial cell hydrophobicity, adhesion, and zeta potential as strategies of adhesion prevention. The results showed strain-specific adhesion rate on polystyrene. The lowest and the highest adhesion were found for two B. cereus lines. Natural antimicrobials ferulic and rosmarinic acid substantially decreased adhesion, whereas the effect of epigallocatechin gallate was neglectful. Similar results were found for the zeta potential, indicating that natural antimicrobials reduce bacterial adhesion. Targeting bacterial adhesion using natural extracts we can eliminate potential infection at an early stage. Future experimental studies should focus on situations that are as close to industrial conditions as possible.