Journal of Applied Microbiology, Vol.118, No.5, 1137-1143, 2015
Stress enhances the sensitivity of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium to bacteriocins
AimsThe aim of this study was to evaluate the potential application of bacteriocins against Gram-negative bacteria when associated with others food preservation methods. Methods and ResultsSalmonella was subjected to heat, cold, acid and chemical (with ethylenediaminetetracetate and trisodium phosphate) stresses. Then, the cells were recovered and subjected to treatment with bacteriocins (500AUml(-1)) for 6h. Heat and cold stress were those that promoted more sensitization to bactericidal activity of nisin. Under the same conditions, bovicin HC5 acted more rapidly than nisin reducing the number of viable cells to undetectable levels after 20min of treatment. Similar results with use of nisin only were observed after 6h of treatment. ConclusionsStress conditions used in food industry, such as temperature and pH, and use of chelating agents or membrane disruptors, sensitized Salmonella Typhimurium cells to bacteriocins produced by lactic acid bacteria, such as nisin and bovicin HC5. Significance and Impact of the StudyFood preservation methods sensitized Gram-negative bacteria to bacteriocins activity, which demonstrate the potential of nisin and bovicin HC5 to inhibit the growth of Salmonella.