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ε ‐Poly‐ l ‐lysine and nisin A act synergistically against Gram‐positive food‐borne pathogens Bacillus cereus and Listeria monocytogenes
Author(s) -
Najjar M.Badaoui,
Kashtanov D.,
Chikindas M.L.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
letters in applied microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.698
H-Index - 110
eISSN - 1472-765X
pISSN - 0266-8254
DOI - 10.1111/j.1472-765x.2007.02157.x
Subject(s) - nisin , listeria monocytogenes , bacillus cereus , food spoilage , microbiology and biotechnology , cereus , biology , lysine , food microbiology , food science , bacteria , biochemistry , amino acid , antimicrobial , genetics
Aims: To test ε ‐poly‐ l ‐lysine and nisin A for possible synergistic activity against selected food‐borne pathogens and food spoilage organisms. Methods and Results: Synergistic activity was observed against Gram‐positive Listeria monocytogenes and Bacillus cereus cells and spores of B. cereus in 96 well plate assays. However, nisin A had no effect alone or in combination with ε ‐poly‐ l ‐lysine against Gram‐negative Escherichia coli cells. In addition, when tested against yeast Zygosaccharomyces bailii , nisin A and partially inhibitory concentrations of ε ‐poly‐ l ‐lysine antagonized each other. Conclusions: Nisin A and ε ‐poly‐ l ‐lysine showed synergistic activity against B. cereus and L. monocytogenes . Significance and Impact of the Study: The application of nisin A and ε ‐poly‐ l ‐lysine is a promising all‐natural method of controlling Gram‐positive food‐borne pathogens, spores and spoilage organisms.