Reuterin and High Hydrostatic Pressure Treatments on the Inactivation of Listeria monocytogenes and Effect on the Characteristics of Cold-Smoked Salmon

High pressure processing plus technologies: Enhancing the inactivation of vegetative microorganisms

High pressure processing (HPP) is a non-thermal technology that can ensure microbial safety without compromising food quality. However, the presence of pressure-resistant sub-populations, the revival of sub-lethally injured (SLI) cells, and the resuscitation of viable but non-culturable (VBNC) cells pose challenges for its further development. The combination of HPP with other methods such as moderate temperatures, low pH, and natural antimicrobials (e.g., bacteriocins, lactate, reuterin, endolysin, lactoferrin, lactoperoxidase system, chitosan, essential oils) or other non-thermal processes (e.g., CO2, UV-TiO2 photocatalysis, ultrasound, pulsed electric fields, ultrafiltration) offers feasible alternatives to enhance microbial inactivation, termed as "HPP plus" technologies. These combinations can effectively eliminate pressure-resistant sub-populations, reduce SLI or VBNC cell populations, and inhibit their revival or resuscitation. This review provides an updated overview of microbial inactivation by "HPP plus" technologies and elucidates possible inactivation mechanisms.

Application of the Reuterin System as Food Preservative or Health-Promoting Agent: A Critical Review

The reuterin system is a complex multi-component antimicrobial system produced by Limosilactobacillus reuteri by metabolizing glycerol. The system mainly includes 3-hydroxypropionaldehyde (3-HPA, reuterin), 3-HPA dimer, 3-HPA hydrate, acrolein and 3-hydroxypropionic acid, and has great potential to be applied in the food and medical industries due to its functional versatility. It has been reported that the reuterin system possesses regulation of intestinal flora and anti-infection, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities. Typically, the reuterin system exerts strong broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties. However, the antimicrobial mechanism of the reuterin system remains unclear, and its toxicity is still controversial. This paper presents an updated review on the biosynthesis, composition, biological production, antimicrobial mechanisms, stability, toxicity and potential applications of the reuterin system. Challenges and opportunities of the use of the reuterin system as a food preservative or health-promoting agent are also discussed. The present work will allow researchers to accelerate their studies toward solving critical challenges obstructing industrial applications of the reuterin system.

Antimicrobial Impacts of Microbial Metabolites on the Preservation of Fish and Fishery Products: A Review with Current Knowledge

Microbial metabolites have proven effects to inhibit food spoilage microbiota, without any development of antimicrobial resistance. This review provides a recent literature update on the preservative action of metabolites derived from microorganisms on seafood. Fish and fishery products are regarded as a myriad of nutrition, while being highly prone to spoilage. Several proven controversies (antimicrobial resistance and health issues) related to the use of synthetic preservatives have caused an imminent problem. The demand for minimally processed and naturally preserved clean-label fish and fishery products is on rise. Metabolites derived from microorganisms have exhibited diverse preservation capacities on fish and fishery products' spoilage. Inclusions with other preservation techniques, such as hurdle technology, for the shelf-life extension of fish and fishery products are also summarized.

The efficacy and safety of high-pressure processing of food

High-pressure processing (HPP) is a non-thermal treatment in which, for microbial inactivation, foods are subjected to isostatic pressures (P) of 400-600 MPa with common holding times (t) from 1.5 to 6 min. The main factors that influence the efficacy (log10 reduction of vegetative microorganisms) of HPP when applied to foodstuffs are intrinsic (e.g. water activity and pH), extrinsic (P and t) and microorganism-related (type, taxonomic unit, strain and physiological state). It was concluded that HPP of food will not present any additional microbial or chemical food safety concerns when compared to other routinely applied treatments (e.g. pasteurisation). Pathogen reductions in milk/colostrum caused by the current HPP conditions applied by the industry are lower than those achieved by the legal requirements for thermal pasteurisation. However, HPP minimum requirements (P/t combinations) could be identified to achieve specific log10 reductions of relevant hazards based on performance criteria (PC) proposed by international standard agencies (5-8 log10 reductions). The most stringent HPP conditions used industrially (600 MPa, 6 min) would achieve the above-mentioned PC, except for Staphylococcus aureus. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), the endogenous milk enzyme that is widely used to verify adequate thermal pasteurisation of cows' milk, is relatively pressure resistant and its use would be limited to that of an overprocessing indicator. Current data are not robust enough to support the proposal of an appropriate indicator to verify the efficacy of HPP under the current HPP conditions applied by the industry. Minimum HPP requirements to reduce Listeria monocytogenes levels by specific log10 reductions could be identified when HPP is applied to ready-to-eat (RTE) cooked meat products, but not for other types of RTE foods. These identified minimum requirements would result in the inactivation of other relevant pathogens (Salmonella and Escherichia coli) in these RTE foods to a similar or higher extent.

Reuterin-producing Limosilactobacillus reuteri: Optimization of in situ reuterin production in alginate-based filmogenic solutions

Limosilactobacillus reuteri produces reuterin via glycerol anaerobic fermentation. This compound has antimicrobial properties and is used for food preservation purposes. Filmogenic solutions constituted of polysaccharides and glycerol are also employed, however, reuterin synthesis in filmogenic solutions has not yet been reported. Thus, the aim of this study was to optimize the in situ reuterin production by L. reuteri in alginate- and glycerol based-filmogenic solution, evaluating the survival of reuterin-producing bacteria during fermentation. The study consisted of a completely randomized design employing two L. reuteri strains (DSM 20016 and DSM 17938). The filmogenic solutions were obtained using sodium alginate (20 g/L) and two independent variables were studied: glycerol (0–300 mmol/L) and initial biomass of L. reuteri (≅6, 7, and 8 log CFU/mL). The samples were analyzed every 24 h for 72 h of anaerobic fermentation (37 °C). Both L.reuteri strains confirmed the potential for reuterin production and were susceptible to the metabolite produced. The highest reuterin production was achieved using L. reuteri DSM 20016. The initial microbial biomass of 8 log CFU/mL and 100 mmol/L of glycerol increased the reuterin production. However, higher conversion yields from glycerol to reuterin were obtained using 50 mmol/L of substrate.

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L. reuteri strains DSM 20016 and DSM 17938 produce reuterin.

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In situ reuterin production was detected in filmogenic solution.

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Reuterin production varied with initial microbial biomass and glycerol concentration.

High pressure processing combined with selected hurdles: Enhancement in the inactivation of vegetative microorganisms

High pressure processing (HPP) as a nonthermal processing (NTP) technology can ensure microbial safety to some extent without compromising food quality. However, for vegetative microorganisms, the existence of pressure-resistant subpopulations, the revival of sublethal injury (SLI) state cells, and the resuscitation of viable but nonculturable (VBNC) state cells may constitute potential food safety risks and pose challenges for the further development of HPP application. HPP combined with selected hurdles, such as moderately elevated or low temperature, low pH, natural antimicrobials (bacteriocin, lactate, reuterin, endolysin, lactoferrin, lactoperoxidase system, chitosan, essential oils), or other NTP (CO₂ , UV-TiO₂ photocatalysis, ultrasound, pulsed electric field, ultrafiltration), have been highlighted as feasible alternatives to enhance microbial inactivation (synergistic or additive effect). These combinations can effectively eliminate the pressure-resistant subpopulation, reduce the population of SLI or VBNC state cells and inhibit their revival or resuscitation. This review provides an updated overview of the microbial inactivation by the combination of HPP and selected hurdles and restructures the possible inactivation mechanisms.

Genomic characterization of the most barotolerant Listeria monocytogenes RO15 strain compared to reference strains used to evaluate food high pressure processing

Background

High pressure processing (HPP; i.e. 100–600 MPa pressure depending on product) is a non-thermal preservation technique adopted by the food industry to decrease significantly foodborne pathogens, including Listeria monocytogenes, from food. However, susceptibility towards pressure differs among diverse strains of L. monocytogenes and it is unclear if this is due to their intrinsic characteristics related to genomic content. Here, we tested the barotolerance of 10 different L. monocytogenes strains, from food and food processing environments and widely used reference strains including clinical isolate, to pressure treatments with 400 and 600 MPa. Genome sequencing and genome comparison of the tested L. monocytogenes strains were performed to investigate the relation between genomic profile and pressure tolerance.

Results

None of the tested strains were tolerant to 600 MPa. A reduction of more than 5 log₁₀ was observed for all strains after 1 min 600 MPa pressure treatment. L. monocytogenes strain RO15 showed no significant reduction in viable cell counts after 400 MPa for 1 min and was therefore defined as barotolerant. Genome analysis of so far unsequenced L. monocytogenes strain RO15, 2HF33, MB5, AB199, AB120, C7, and RO4 allowed us to compare the gene content of all strains tested. This revealed that the three most pressure tolerant strains had more than one CRISPR system with self-targeting spacers. Furthermore, several anti-CRISPR genes were detected in these strains. Pan-genome analysis showed that 10 prophage genes were significantly associated with the three most barotolerant strains.

Conclusions

L. monocytogenes strain RO15 was the most pressure tolerant among the selected strains. Genome comparison suggests that there might be a relationship between prophages and pressure tolerance in L. monocytogenes.

Review on Natural Preservatives for Extending Fish Shelf Life

Fish is extremely perishable as a result of rapid microbial growth naturally present in fish or from contamination. Synthetic preservatives are widely used in fish storage to extend shelf life and maintain quality and safety. However, consumer preferences for natural preservatives and concerns about the safety of synthetic preservatives have prompted the food industry to search natural preservatives. Natural preservatives from microorganisms, plants, and animals have been shown potential in replacing the chemical antimicrobials. Bacteriocins and organic acids from bacteria showed good antimicrobial activities against spoilage bacteria. Plant-derived antimicrobials could prolong fish shelf life and decrease lipid oxidation. Animal-derived antimicrobials also have good antimicrobial activities; however, their allergen risk should be paid attention. Moreover, some algae and mushroom species can also provide a potential source of new natural preservatives. Obviously, the natural preservatives could perform better in fish storage by combining with other hurdles such as non-thermal sterilization processing, modified atmosphere packaging, edible films and coatings.

Reduction and inhibition of Listeria monocytogenes in cold-smoked salmon by Verdad N6, a buffered vinegar fermentate, and UV-C treatments

Contamination, survival and growth of Listeria monocytogenes in cold-smoked salmon represent serious health hazards to consumers and major challenges for salmon processors. Verdad N6, a commercially available buffered vinegar, was evaluated as an ingredient in cold-smoked salmon with regard to anti-listerial effects under processing and storage, sensory quality and consumer preference, effects on background microbiota and yield during production. Cold-smoked salmon with Verdad N6 added in the dry-salting process was produced. Salmon fillets were surface contaminated with a mix of L. monocytogenes. Levels of L. monocytogenes were determined during vacuum pack refrigerated storage for 29 days. The use of Verdad N6 resulted in increased lag times and reduced growth rates of L. monocytogenes. The inhibitory effects were dependent on Verdad N6 levels (0-2%), storage time and temperature (4 or 8 °C), type of contamination (between slices or on non-sliced salmon) and degree of smoking. The presence of dextrose (1%) in the recipe had no significant effects on L. monocytogenes levels after storage. On sliced salmon, complete growth inhibition at 4 °C storage could be obtained using 1% Verdad N6 compared to a 3 log increase in L. monocytogenes counts in control salmon. At abuse temperatures (8 °C), corresponding L. monocytogenes levels increased <2 log and 5-6 log during 29 days storage. On non-sliced salmon, 1% Verdad N6 provided complete growth reductions at 4 and 8 °C storage while L. monocytogenes in control salmon increased 2.3 and 4.6 log, respectively, in the same period. The use of Verdad N6 in combination with bactericidal UV-C treatments (fluence 50 mJ/cm²) provided an initial 0.8 log reduction and complete L. monocytogenes growth inhibition on subsequent storage at 4 and 8 °C. Salmon with Verdad N6 showed reduced levels of total counts during storage and a shift in the dominating bacteria with reduced and increased relative levels of Photobacterium and lactic acid bacteria, respectively. A consumer test showed no consistent differences in liking of salmon with and without Verdad N6. In summary, Verdad N6 is an option for the production of high quality cold-smoked salmon with enhanced food safety through its robust listeriostatic effects. The application of Verdad N6 in combination with listericidal UV-C light treatment can further reduce the listeria-risks of this ready-to-eat food product category.

Decontamination of Minimally-Processed Fresh Lettuce Using Reuterin Produced by Lactobacillus reuteri

Over the last years the demand for pre-washed, fresh-cut, and minimally-processed (MP) produce has increased. MP fresh vegetable are rapidly spoiled, whereas there is consumers' concern about chemical disinfection treatments such as with chlorine. A promising antimicrobial is reuterin, a broad-spectrum-antimicrobial compound produced by food-grade Lactobacillus reuteri from glycerol. In aqueous solution, reuterin is a dynamic system consisting of 3-hydroxypropionaldehyde (3-HPA), its hydrate, its dimer as well as acrolein, which was recently identified as the main antimicrobial component of the system. Here, we tested the use of reuterin containing similar 3-HPA levels but different acrolein concentrations for decontaminating and preserving fresh-cut lettuce. Crude reuterin (CR) was produced by biotransformation of 600 mM glycerol using L. reuteri DSM 20016T. CR preparations were further incubated for 16 h at 50°C to produce enhanced reuterin (ER) with raised concentration of acrolein. Fresh-cut iceberg lettuce (Lactuca sativa) was washed using CR (1.5-1.9 mM acrolein) and ER (7.2-21.9 mM acrolein) solutions at 4°C, or sodium hypochloride (250 mg/L) and tap water, and compared with unwashed lettuce. Washed lettuce samples were packed under modified atmosphere (2% O2, 5% CO2, and 93% N2) and stored for 13 days at 4°C. Application of ER containing 12.1, 20.9, or 21.9 mM acrolein reduced the initial viable plate counts of Enterobacteriaceae (by 2.1-2.8 log CFU/g), and yeasts and molds (by 1.3-2.0 log CFU/g) when compared with unwashed samples. In contrast, reuterin solutions containing 7.2 mM acrolein, sodium hypochlorite and tap water only showed very limited and transient, or no effects on the cell loads of lettuce after washing and during storage. Visual assessment of leaves washed with ER showed acrolein concentration-dependent discoloration noticeable already after 3 days of storage for the highest acrolein concentrations. Discoloration became severe for all ER treatments after 7 days, while the other treatments preserved the aspect of washed lettuce. Our data show the predominant role of acrolein as the main antimicrobial component of the reuterin system for food biopreservation. Reuterin preparations with enhanced acrolein concentration of 12.1 mM and higher were effective to reduce plate counts of Enterobacteriaceae and yeasts and molds washed lettuce until day 7 but induced pronounced discoloration of lettuce.

Combination of endolysins and high pressure to inactivate Listeria monocytogenes

Outbreaks of listeriosis are often related to the consumption of low-processed ready-to-eat food products (e.g. soft cheeses or smoked fish) contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Traditional preservation techniques, such as heat treatment, cannot eliminate Listeria from these products without strongly affecting the quality of the foods. We therefore investigated the use of endolysin (PlyP40, Ply511, or PlyP825) in combination with high hydrostatic pressure processing to kill L. monocytogenes in buffer. The results demonstrated a more than additive effect when both treatments were combined. For example, whereas 0.16 μg/mL PlyP825 or 300 MPa (1 min, 30 °C) applied individually reduced the cell count by 0.2 and 0.3 log cfu, respectively, a combined treatment resulted in a reduction of 5.5 log cfu. Similar results were obtained for the other endolysins combined with high pressure processing. We also showed that the synergistic inactivation of cells by endolysin and HHP is possible at a pressure level of only 200 MPa (2 min, 30 °C). Thus, the application of endolysins did not only substantially increase the bactericidal effect of high pressure, but it also enabled the inactivation of bacterial cells at much lower pressure levels. This shows the potential of using such combined processes for the inactivation of L. monocytogenes and food preservation.

In vitro toxicity of reuterin, a potential food biopreservative

Reuterin has a high potential as a food preservative due to both its chemical characteristics and its antimicrobial activity against food-borne pathogens and spoilage bacteria. However, there is a lack of information about its toxicity and its capacity to interfere with the metabolism of drugs by inhibiting cytochrome P450 (CYP) activity. The results of this study indicated that reuterin exhibited a moderate cytotoxicity in the human hepatoma cell line HepG2 according to assays measuring three different endpoints in the same set of cells. Reuterin was much less toxic than acrolein and only four times more toxic than diacetyl, a generally recognized as safe flavoring compound. In vitro experiments utilizing human liver microsomes showed that reuterin presents low possibility of displaying in vivo drug interactions by inhibition of CYP3A4, CYP2D6, and CYP2C9. Therefore, reuterin can be considered a promising food biopreservative, although additional toxicology research is needed before permission for use can be granted.

Natural antimicrobials and high-pressure treatments on the inactivation of Salmonella Enteritidis and Escherichia coli O157:H7 in cold-smoked salmon

BACKGROUND

High hydrostatic pressure (HHP) combined with reuterin and lactoperoxidase system (LPS) has exerted antimicrobial activity against Listeria monocytogenes in cold-smoked salmon at chilled temperatures. Therefore the purpose of this work was to evaluate the effect of HHP combined with reuterin, LPS and lactoferrin (LF) on the survival of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Enteritidis and Escherichia coli O157:H7 in cold-smoked salmon stored at 4 and 10 °C.

RESULTS

Salmonella Enteritidis and E. coli O157:H7 were reduced more than 3 log colony-forming units (CFU) g(-1) by the pressure treatment (450 MPa/5 min). LPS slightly diminished pathogen levels throughout storage, whereas no effect was recorded when reuterin or LF was added. The Salmonella population was below the detection limit (<1 log CFU g(-1) ) during the storage of HHP-treated smoked salmon at 4 and 10 °C. The antimicrobial activity of HHP against E. coli O157:H7 was increased when 450 MPa was applied in combination with LPS in cold-smoked salmon at 4 and 10 °C.

CONCLUSION

HHP at 450 MPa/5 min inactivated S. Enteritidis in cold-smoked salmon and in combination with LPS would be useful as a hurdle technology approach against E. coli O157:H7, even under mild temperature abuse conditions. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry.

Impact of high hydrostatic pressure on non-volatile and volatile compounds of squid muscles

The effects of high hydrostatic pressure processing (HHP at 200, 400 or 600MPa) on non-volatile and volatile compounds of squid muscles during 10-day storage at 4°C were investigated. HHP increased the concentrations of Cl(-) and volatile compounds, reduced the level of PO4(3-), but did not affect the contents of 5'-uridine monophosphate (UMP), 5'-guanosine monophosphate (GMP), 5'-inosine monophosphate (IMP), Na(+) and Ca(2+) in squids on Day 0. At 600MPa, squids had the highest levels of 5'-adenosine monophosphate, Cl(-) and lactic acid, but the lowest contents of CMP and volatile compounds on Day 10. Essential free amino acids and succinic acids were lower on Day 0 than on Day 10. HHP at 200MPa caused higher equivalent umami concentration (EUC) on Day 0, and the EUC decreased with increasing pressure on Day 10. Generally, HHP at 200MPa was beneficial for improving EUC and volatile compounds of squids.

Antimicrobial activity of reuterin produced by Lactobacillus reuteri on Listeria monocytogenes in cold-smoked salmon

Lactobacillus reuteri INIA P579 was used for the production and purification of reuterin. The purity of reuterin was assessed by high resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HRESIMS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. After purification, reuterin concentration obtained was 1.3 M. The inhibitory activity using Escherichia coli K12 as indicator strain was estimated to be 510 AU/ml. Survival curves in tryptic soy broth revealed that reuterin required to inhibit the growth of three Listeria monocytogenes strains was in the range of 2-4 AU/ml. Purified reuterin (10 AU/g) significantly reduced the growth of L. monocytogenes in cold-smoked salmon kept under moderate or strong temperature abuse conditions. After 15 d at 8 °C, cold-smoked salmon with added reuterin exhibited L. monocytogenes counts 2.0 log CFU/g lower than control smoked salmon with no reuterin added. At 30 °C, reuterin also controlled the growth of the pathogen, with counts 1.4 and 0.9 log CFU/g lower than those observed in control smoked salmon after 24 and 48 h, respectively. The addition of purified reuterin might be used as a hurdle technology to improve the safety and extend the shelf-life of lightly preserved seafood products such as cold-smoked salmon.