Antimicrobial activity of reuterin in combination with nisin against food-borne pathogens

• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2004.03.009
• Publication Date: 2004-06-17T17:07:16Z
• Authors: Juan L Arqués; Javier Fernández; Pilar Gaya; Manuel Nuñez; Eva Rodrı́guez; Margarita Medina
• Keywords: Aldehydes; 0303 health sciences; Time Factors; Temperature; Drug Synergism; Glyceraldehyde; Gram-Positive Bacteria; Reuterin; Anti-Bacterial Agents; 3. Good health; Propane; 03 medical and health sciences; Milk; Gram-Negative Bacteria; Food Microbiology; Animals; Pathogens; Combined treatments; Nisin

Antimicrobial activity of reuterin individually or in combination with nisin against different food-borne Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens in milk was investigated. Reuterin (8 AU/ml) exhibited bacteriostatic activity against Listeria monocytogenes, whereas its activity was slightly bactericidal against Staphylococcus aureus at 37 degrees C. Higher bactericidal activity was detected against Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella choleraesuis subsp. choleraesuis, Yersinia enterocolitica, Aeromonas hydrophila subsp. hydrophila and Campylobacter jejuni. A significant synergistic effect on L. monocytogenes and a slight additive effect on S. aureus after 24 h at 37 degrees C were observed when reuterin was combined with nisin (100 IU/ml). The combination of reuterin with nisin did not enhance the antimicrobial effect of reuterin against Gram-negative pathogens.