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Microorganisms
Special Issues
Natural Antimicrobial Compounds
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Natural Antimicrobial Compounds

A special issue of Microorganisms (ISSN 2076-2607). This special issue belongs to the section "Antimicrobial Agents and Resistance".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2021) | Viewed by 46196

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Andreana Marino

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
Interests: antimicrobials; biofilm; plant extracts; natural antimicrobial compounds; ocular infection
Dr. Giovanna Simonetti

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Environmental Biology, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, Italy
Interests: antimicrobials; molds; yeasts; antimicrobial resistance; biofilm
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, the emergence of microbial and viral infections associated with multidrug-resistant and biofilm-forming microorganisms has become one of the biggest challenges to fight in the medical field. Moreover, of particular concern is that some preservative-resistant bacterial strains isolated from cosmetic products show a degree of cross-resistance with antibiotics.

In addition to resistance, with the growing immunocompromised population due to organ transplant, chemotherapy, and AIDS, the frequency of microbial and viral infections has sharply increased. All the above-mentioned situations together with a limited arsenal of antimicrobial and antiviral drugs and agents encourage the development of new therapeutic approaches to combat microbial and viral infections. Various strategies have been suggested, and one of these involves natural products with antimicrobial properties or that have the ability to enhance the activity of an antibiotic in combination with them. Novel or long-known natural products alone or combined with nanoformulations have consistently offered good prospects for the development and discovery of therapeutics or preservatives over the past decades, and still play an important role in innovation in pharmaceutical and other industries. This Special Issue aims to highlight the latest advances and developments associated with nanotechnology and therapeutic benefits related to the use of natural products and/or isolated compounds alone or in association with conventional drugs for microbial infections.

Both in vitro and in vivo studies are encouraged. A detailed chemical analysis of the natural compounds should be presented, as well as their toxicity.

We invite authors who are leading experts in this field to contribute original articles that are not yet published or that are not currently under review by other journals. Review articles which describe the current state of the research on this topic are also welcome. The publication of articles in this Special Issue will provide a forum for researchers to share their recent findings and offer exposure of the published articles to the scientific community, and we will work to promote, integrate, and disseminate them. We hope that this Special Issue will advance knowledge and stimulate new collaborations and new research directions.

We will consider works on topics including but not limited to:

  • Natural products and/or isolated compounds active against microorganisms and viruses.
  • Natural products and/or isolated compounds active against microbial biofilms.
  • Chemical characterization of antimicrobial natural products and/or isolated compounds active against microorganisms.
  • Toxicity studies in vitro and/or in vivo.
  • Natural products and/or isolated compounds active against microorganisms in association with conventional drugs.
  • Elucidation of the mechanism of action of natural products and/or isolated compounds active against microorganisms alone or in combination with conventional drugs.
  • Novel nanoformulations for the delivery of natural products and/or isolated compounds active against microorganisms.

Dr. Andreana Marino
Dr. Giovanna Simonetti
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Microorganisms is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • antimicrobial natural products
  • natural isolated compounds active against microorganisms
  • biofilms
  • antimicrobial natural products in combination with drugs or preservatives
  • chemical characterization
  • toxicity
  • mechanism of action
  • nanoformulations

Published Papers (11 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 4041 KiB  
Article
A Peptide Found in Human Serum, Derived from the C-Terminus of Albumin, Shows Antifungal Activity In Vitro and In Vivo
by Tecla Ciociola, Pier Paolo Zanello, Tiziana D’Adda, Serena Galati, Stefania Conti, Walter Magliani and Laura Giovati
Microorganisms 2020, 8(10), 1627; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/microorganisms8101627 - 21 Oct 2020
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1996
Abstract
The growing problem of antimicrobial resistance highlights the need for alternative strategies to combat infections. From this perspective, there is a considerable interest in natural molecules obtained from different sources, which are shown to be active against microorganisms, either alone or in association [...] Read more.
The growing problem of antimicrobial resistance highlights the need for alternative strategies to combat infections. From this perspective, there is a considerable interest in natural molecules obtained from different sources, which are shown to be active against microorganisms, either alone or in association with conventional drugs. In this paper, peptides with the same sequence of fragments, found in human serum, derived from physiological proteins, were evaluated for their antifungal activity. A 13-residue peptide, representing the 597–609 fragment within the albumin C-terminus, was proved to exert a fungicidal activity in vitro against pathogenic yeasts and a therapeutic effect in vivo in the experimental model of candidal infection in Galleria mellonella. Studies by confocal microscopy and transmission and scanning electron microscopy demonstrated that the peptide penetrates and accumulates in Candida albicans cells, causing gross morphological alterations in cellular structure. These findings add albumin to the group of proteins, which already includes hemoglobin and antibodies, that could give rise to cryptic antimicrobial fragments, and could suggest their role in anti-infective homeostasis. The study of bioactive fragments from serum proteins could open interesting perspectives for the development of new antimicrobial molecules derived by natural sources. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Antimicrobial Compounds)
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15 pages, 8883 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of Indolocarbazoles from Streptomyces sanyensis as a Novel Source of Therapeutic Agents against the Brain-Eating Amoeba Naegleria fowleri
by Aitor Rizo-Liendo, Ines Sifaoui, Luis Cartuche, Iñigo Arberas-Jiménez, María Reyes-Batlle, José J. Fernández, José E. Piñero, Ana R. Díaz-Marrero and Jacob Lorenzo-Morales
Microorganisms 2020, 8(5), 789; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/microorganisms8050789 - 25 May 2020
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2976
Abstract
Naegleria fowleri is an opportunistic pathogenic free-living amoeba which is able to rapidly colonize the central nervous system (CNS) and causes a lethal infection known as primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). Furthermore, more than 98% of the known cases of PAM are fatal and [...] Read more.
Naegleria fowleri is an opportunistic pathogenic free-living amoeba which is able to rapidly colonize the central nervous system (CNS) and causes a lethal infection known as primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). Furthermore, more than 98% of the known cases of PAM are fatal and affect mainly children under 12 and young adults. Until now, no fully effective therapeutic agents against N. fowleri are available and hence the urgent need to find novel agents to treat PAM. At present, PAM therapy is based on the combination of amphotericin B, miltefosine, among others, with unwanted toxic effects. Recently, our team isolated various indolocarbazoles (ICZs) from the culture of a mangrove strain of Streptomyces sanyensis which showed activity against kinetoplastids and the Acanthamoeba genus. Hence, in this study, the activity of the previously isolated ICZs, staurosporine (STS), 7-oxostaurosporine (7OSTS), 4′-demethylamino-4′-oxostaurosporine, and streptocarbazole B, was evaluated against two type strains of N. fowleri. Furthermore, the performed activity assays revealed that STS was the most active ICZ presenting an inhibitory concentration 50 (IC50) of 0.08 ± 0.02 µM (SI 109.3). Moreover, STS induced programmed cell death (PCD) in the treated amoebae by triggering DNA condensation, mitochondrial disfunction, cell membrane disruption, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Therefore, STS could be a promising therapeutic agent against PAM. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Antimicrobial Compounds)
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12 pages, 3831 KiB  
Article
Thymol Protects Channel Catfish from Aeromonas hydrophila Infection by Inhibiting Aerolysin Expression and Biofilm Formation
by Jing Dong, Lushan Zhang, Yongtao Liu, Ning Xu, Shun Zhou, Qiuhong Yang, Yibin Yang and Xiaohui Ai
Microorganisms 2020, 8(5), 636; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/microorganisms8050636 - 27 Apr 2020
Cited by 23 | Viewed by 2895
Abstract
Aeromonas hydrophila is an opportunistic pathogen responsible for a number of diseases in freshwater farming. Moreover, the bacterium has been identified as a zoonotic pathogen that threatens human health. Antibiotics are widely used for treatments of infectious diseases in aquaculture. However, the abuse [...] Read more.
Aeromonas hydrophila is an opportunistic pathogen responsible for a number of diseases in freshwater farming. Moreover, the bacterium has been identified as a zoonotic pathogen that threatens human health. Antibiotics are widely used for treatments of infectious diseases in aquaculture. However, the abuse of antibiotics has led to the emergence of antimicrobial resistant strains. Thus, novel strategies are required against resistant A. hydrophila strains. The quorum sensing (QS) system, involved in virulence factor production and biofilm formation, is a promising target in identifying novel drugs against A. hydrophila infections. In this study, we found that thymol, at sub-inhibitory concentrations, could significantly reduce the production of aerolysin and biofilm formation by inhibiting the transcription of genes aerA, ahyI, and ahyR. These results indicate that thymol inhibits the quorum sensing system. The protective effects of thymol against A. hydrophila mediated cell injury were determined by live/dead assay and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assay. Moreover, the in vivo study showed that thymol could significantly decrease the mortality of channel catfish infected with A. hydrophila. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that thymol could be chosen as a phytotherapeutic candidate for inhibiting quorum sensing system-mediated aerolysin production and biofilm formation in A. hydrophila. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Antimicrobial Compounds)
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12 pages, 2396 KiB  
Article
Forest Tree Associated Bacterial Diffusible and Volatile Organic Compounds against Various Phytopathogenic Fungi
by Wei-Liang Kong, Pu-Sheng Li, Xiao-Qin Wu, Tian-Yu Wu and Xiao-Rui Sun
Microorganisms 2020, 8(4), 590; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/microorganisms8040590 - 18 Apr 2020
Cited by 37 | Viewed by 4533
Abstract
Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) can potentially be used as an alternative strategy to control plant diseases. In this study, strain ST–TJ4 isolated from the rhizosphere soil of a healthy poplar was found to have a strong antifungal activity against 11 phytopathogenic fungi in [...] Read more.
Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) can potentially be used as an alternative strategy to control plant diseases. In this study, strain ST–TJ4 isolated from the rhizosphere soil of a healthy poplar was found to have a strong antifungal activity against 11 phytopathogenic fungi in agriculture and forestry. Strain ST–TJ4 was identified as Pseudomonas sp. based on 16S rRNA-encoding gene sequences. The bacterium can produce siderophores, cellulase, and protease, and has genes involved in the synthesis of phenazine, 1–phenazinecarboxylic acid, pyrrolnitrin, and hydrogen cyanide. Additionally, the volatile compounds released by strain ST–TJ4 can inhibit the mycelial growth of plant pathogenic fungi more than diffusible substances can. Based on volatile compound profiles of strain ST–TJ4 obtained from headspace collection and GC–MS/MS analysis, 1-undecene was identified. In summary, the results suggested that Pseudomonas sp. ST–TJ4 can be used as a biocontrol agent for various plant diseases caused by phytopathogenic fungi. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Antimicrobial Compounds)
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17 pages, 3530 KiB  
Article
Pinocembrin-7-Glucoside (P7G) Reduced Postharvest Blue Mold of Navel Orange by Suppressing Penicillium italicum Growth
by Chuying Chen, Jinyin Chen and Chunpeng Wan
Microorganisms 2020, 8(4), 536; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/microorganisms8040536 - 08 Apr 2020
Cited by 20 | Viewed by 2802
Abstract
The current study aimed to examine the in vitro and in vivo antifungal potential of pinocembrin-7-glucoside (P7G). P7G is an antifungal flavanone glycoside isolated from Ficus hirta Vahl. fruit against Penicillium italicum, a causative pathogen of blue mold disease in citrus fruit, [...] Read more.
The current study aimed to examine the in vitro and in vivo antifungal potential of pinocembrin-7-glucoside (P7G). P7G is an antifungal flavanone glycoside isolated from Ficus hirta Vahl. fruit against Penicillium italicum, a causative pathogen of blue mold disease in citrus fruit, and this study elucidates its possible action mechanism. P7G had a prominent mycelial growth inhibitory activity against P. italicum, with an observed half maximal effective concentration, minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum fungicidal concentration of 0.08, 0.2, and 0.8 g/L, respectively. The data from the in vivo test show that P7G significantly reduced blue mold symptoms and disease development of P. italicum in artificially inoculated “Newhall” navel orange. Compared to the control, increases in the cell membrane permeability of P. italicum supernatant and decreases in the intracellular constituent (e.g., soluble protein, reducing sugar, and total lipid) contents of P. italicum mycelia were identified, supporting scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy observations. Furthermore, a marked decline in both chitin and glucanase contents of P. italicum mycelia treated with P7G was induced by increasing its related degrading enzyme activities, suggesting that the cell wall structure was destroyed. The current study indicated that P7G may be a novel alternative for reducing blue mold by suppressing mycelial growth of P. italicum via a cell membrane/wall-targeting mechanism. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Antimicrobial Compounds)
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13 pages, 1680 KiB  
Article
Activity of Cinnamaldehyde on Quorum Sensing and Biofilm Susceptibility to Antibiotics in Pseudomonas aeruginosa
by Sanjida Halim Topa, Enzo A. Palombo, Peter Kingshott and Linda L. Blackall
Microorganisms 2020, 8(3), 455; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/microorganisms8030455 - 23 Mar 2020
Cited by 38 | Viewed by 4584
Abstract
Quorum sensing (QS) plays an important role during infection for the opportunistic human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Quorum sensing inhibition (QSI) can disrupt this initial event of infection without killing bacterial cells, and thus QS inhibitors have been suggested as novel approaches for [...] Read more.
Quorum sensing (QS) plays an important role during infection for the opportunistic human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Quorum sensing inhibition (QSI) can disrupt this initial event of infection without killing bacterial cells, and thus QS inhibitors have been suggested as novel approaches for anti-infective therapy. Cinnamaldehyde (CAD) is a P. aeruginosa biofilm inhibitor and disperser of preformed biofilms. In this study, the combined use of CAD and colistin (COL) revealed a synergistic activity, but this was not the case for CAD combined with carbenicillin, tobramycin (TOB), or erythromycin in checkerboard assays for P. aeruginosa. CAD demonstrated QSI activity by repression of the expression of lasB, rhlA and pqsA in GFP reporter assays. Approximately 70% reduction in GFP production was observed with the highest CAD concentration tested in all the QS reporter strains. TOB also showed strong QSI when combined with CAD in reporter assays. Combination treatments revealed an additive activity of CAD with COL and TOB in biofilm inhibition (75.2% and 83.9%, respectively) and preformed biofilm dispersion (~90% for both) when compared to the individual treatments. Therefore, a proposed method to mitigate P. aeruginosa infection is a combination therapy of CAD with COL or CAD with TOB as alternatives to current individual drug therapies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Antimicrobial Compounds)
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14 pages, 3232 KiB  
Article
Discovery of Two Brominated Oxindole Alkaloids as Staphylococcal DNA Gyrase and Pyruvate Kinase Inhibitors via Inverse Virtual Screening
by Ahmed M. Sayed, Hani A. Alhadrami, Seham S. El-Hawary, Rabab Mohammed, Hossam M. Hassan, Mostafa E. Rateb, Usama Ramadan Abdelmohsen and Walid Bakeer
Microorganisms 2020, 8(2), 293; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/microorganisms8020293 - 20 Feb 2020
Cited by 32 | Viewed by 4101
Abstract
In the present study, a small marine-derived natural products library was assessed for antibacterial potential. Among 36 isolated compounds, a number of bis-indole derivatives exhibited growth-inhibitory activity towards Gram-positive strains (Bacillus subtilis and multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus). 5- and 6-trisindoline (5-Tris [...] Read more.
In the present study, a small marine-derived natural products library was assessed for antibacterial potential. Among 36 isolated compounds, a number of bis-indole derivatives exhibited growth-inhibitory activity towards Gram-positive strains (Bacillus subtilis and multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus). 5- and 6-trisindoline (5-Tris and 6-Tris) were the most active derivatives (minimum inhibitory concentration, MIC, 4–8 µM) that were subsequently selected for anti-biofilm activity evaluation. Only 5-Tris was able to inhibit the staphylococcal biofilm formation starting at a 5 µM concentration. In order to investigate their possible molecular targets, both natural products were subjected to in silico inverse virtual screening. Among 20 target proteins, DNA gyrase and pyruvate kinase were the most likely to be involved in the observed antibacterial and anti-biofilm activities of both selected natural products. The in vitro validation and in silico binding mode studies revealed that 5-Tris could act as a dual enzyme inhibitor (IC50 11.4 ± 0.03 and 6.6 ± 0.05 µM, respectively), while 6-Tris was a low micromolar gyrase-B inhibitor (IC50 2.1 ± 0.08 µM), indicating that the bromine position plays a crucial role in the determination of the antibacterial lead compound inhibitory activity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Antimicrobial Compounds)
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12 pages, 432 KiB  
Article
Reuterin Demonstrates Potent Antimicrobial Activity Against a Broad Panel of Human and Poultry Meat Campylobacter spp. Isolates
by Paul Tetteh Asare, Katrin Zurfluh, Anna Greppi, Denise Lynch, Clarissa Schwab, Roger Stephan and Christophe Lacroix
Microorganisms 2020, 8(1), 78; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/microorganisms8010078 - 06 Jan 2020
Cited by 41 | Viewed by 4749
Abstract
Reuterin is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial system produced by specific strains of Lactobacillus reuteri during anaerobic metabolism of glycerol. Acrolein is the main component responsible for its antimicrobial activity. Here, the sensitivity of Campylobacter jejuni (n = 51) and Campylobacter coli (n [...] Read more.
Reuterin is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial system produced by specific strains of Lactobacillus reuteri during anaerobic metabolism of glycerol. Acrolein is the main component responsible for its antimicrobial activity. Here, the sensitivity of Campylobacter jejuni (n = 51) and Campylobacter coli (n = 20) isolates from chicken meat and human stool samples to reuterin was investigated. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of C. jejuni and C. coli strains was measured between 1.5 and 3.0 µM of acrolein, below the MIC of the sensitive indicator strain Escherichia coli K12 (16.5 µM acrolein). The interaction of C. jejuni N16-1419 and the reuterin-producing L. reuteri PTA5_F13 was studied during 24 h co-cultures with or without glycerol. A high C. jejuni growth was observed in cultures without glycerol. In contrast, C. jejuni growth decreased from 7.3 ± 0.1 log CFU/mL to below detection limit (1 log CFU/mL) during co-cultures added with 28 mM glycerol. This bactericidal effect could be attributed to in situ reuterin production. The low MIC observed and the high sensitivity towards in situ produced reuterin suggests L. reuteri combined with glycerol, as a possible intervention option to reduce Campylobacter in the food chain. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Antimicrobial Compounds)
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Review

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22 pages, 735 KiB  
Review
The Nonribosomal Peptide Valinomycin: From Discovery to Bioactivity and Biosynthesis
by Shuhui Huang, Yushi Liu, Wan-Qiu Liu, Peter Neubauer and Jian Li
Microorganisms 2021, 9(4), 780; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/microorganisms9040780 - 08 Apr 2021
Cited by 20 | Viewed by 4140
Abstract
Valinomycin is a nonribosomal peptide that was discovered from Streptomyces in 1955. Over the past more than six decades, it has received continuous attention due to its special chemical structure and broad biological activities. Although many research papers have been published on valinomycin, [...] Read more.
Valinomycin is a nonribosomal peptide that was discovered from Streptomyces in 1955. Over the past more than six decades, it has received continuous attention due to its special chemical structure and broad biological activities. Although many research papers have been published on valinomycin, there has not yet been a comprehensive review that summarizes the diverse studies ranging from structural characterization, biogenesis, and bioactivity to the identification of biosynthetic gene clusters and heterologous biosynthesis. In this review, we aim to provide an overview of valinomycin to address this gap, covering from 1955 to 2020. First, we introduce the chemical structure of valinomycin together with its chemical properties. Then, we summarize the broad spectrum of bioactivities of valinomycin. Finally, we describe the valinomycin biosynthetic gene cluster and reconstituted biosynthesis of valinomycin. With that, we discuss possible opportunities for the future research and development of valinomycin. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Antimicrobial Compounds)
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25 pages, 5393 KiB  
Review
Untapped Potentials of Endophytic Fungi: A Review of Novel Bioactive Compounds with Biological Applications
by Madira Coutlyne Manganyi and Collins Njie Ateba
Microorganisms 2020, 8(12), 1934; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/microorganisms8121934 - 06 Dec 2020
Cited by 119 | Viewed by 8141
Abstract
Over the last century, endophytic fungi have gained tremendous attention due to their ability to produce novel bioactive compounds exhibiting varied biological properties and are, therefore, utilized for medicinal, pharmaceutical, and agricultural applications. Endophytic fungi reside within the plant tissues without showing any [...] Read more.
Over the last century, endophytic fungi have gained tremendous attention due to their ability to produce novel bioactive compounds exhibiting varied biological properties and are, therefore, utilized for medicinal, pharmaceutical, and agricultural applications. Endophytic fungi reside within the plant tissues without showing any disease symptoms, thus supporting the physiological and ecological attributes of the host plant. Ground breaking lead compounds, such as paclitaxel and penicillin, produced by endophytic fungi have paved the way for exploring novel bioactive compounds for commercial usage. Despite this, limited research has been conducted in this valuable and unique niche area. These bioactive compounds belong to various structural groups, including alkaloids, peptides, steroids, terpenoids, phenols, quinones, phenols, and flavonoids. The current review focuses on the significance of endophytic fungi in producing novel bioactive compounds possessing a variety of biological properties that include antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, antiprotozoal, antiparasitic, antioxidant, immunosuppressant, and anticancer functions. Taking into consideration the portal of this publication, special emphasis is placed on the antimicrobial and antiviral activities of metabolites produced by endophytes against human pathogens. It also highlights the importance of utilization of these compounds as potential treatment agents for serious life-threatening infectious diseases. This is supported by the fact that several findings have indicated that these bioactive compounds may significantly contribute towards the fight against resistant human and plant pathogens, thus motivating the need enhance the search for new, more efficacious and cost-effective antimicrobial drugs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Antimicrobial Compounds)
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16 pages, 1758 KiB  
Review
The Role of Essential Oils against Pathogenic Escherichia coli in Food Products
by Paulo E.S. Munekata, Mirian Pateiro, David Rodríguez-Lázaro, Rubén Domínguez, Jian Zhong and Jose M. Lorenzo
Microorganisms 2020, 8(6), 924; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/microorganisms8060924 - 18 Jun 2020
Cited by 23 | Viewed by 4187
Abstract
Outbreaks related to foodborne diseases are a major concern among health authorities, food industries, and the general public. Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a pathogen associated with causing multiple outbreaks in the last decades linked to several ready to eat products [...] Read more.
Outbreaks related to foodborne diseases are a major concern among health authorities, food industries, and the general public. Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a pathogen associated with causing multiple outbreaks in the last decades linked to several ready to eat products such as meat, fish, dairy products, and vegetables. The ingestion of contaminated food with pathogenic E. coli can cause watery diarrhea, vomiting, and persistent diarrhea as well as more severe effects such as hemorrhagic colitis, end-stage renal disease, and, in some circumstances, hemolytic uremic syndrome. Essential oils (EOs) are natural compounds with broad-spectrum activity against spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms and are also generally recognized as safe (GRAS). Particularly for E. coli, several recent studies have been conducted to study and characterize the effect to inhibit the synthesis of toxins and the proliferation in food systems. Moreover, the strategy used to apply the EO in food plays a crucial role to prevent the development of E. coli. This review encompasses recent studies regarding the protection against pathogenic E. coli by the use of EO with a major focus on inhibition of toxins and proliferation in food systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Antimicrobial Compounds)
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