Open AccessMechanism of Synergistic Inhibition of Listeria monocytogenes Growth by Lactic Acid, Monolaurin, and Nisin
Author(s) -
Oleksandr Tokarskyy,
Douglas L. Marshall
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
applied and environmental microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.552
H-Index - 324
eISSN - 1070-6291
pISSN - 0099-2240
DOI - 10.1128/aem.01292-08
Subject(s) - nisin , lactic acid , listeria monocytogenes , chemistry , membrane , bacteria , lactococcus lactis , antimicrobial , microbiology and biotechnology , biochemistry , biology , genetics
The combined lactic acid, monolaurin, and nisin effects on time-to-detection (optical density at 600 nm) extension were greater (P < 0.05) than any single or paired combination effect, which demonstrates a synergistic interaction among the antimicrobials. Monolaurin exposure caused C12:0 cell membrane incorporation. Lactic acid caused increased monolaurin C12:0 membrane incorporation, while nisin had no influence. We postulate that lactic acid-enhanced monolaurin C12:0 incorporation into the cell membrane increased membrane fluidity resulting in increased nisin activity.