Abstract
Sapindus saponins are natural nonionic surfactants, and they have a broad-spectrum antibacterial effect, but few studies have elucidated the antibacterial mechanism of Sapindus saponins to date. Therefore, this study screened the antibacterial activity of Sapindus saponins singly and in combination against 7 bacteria, and investigated the synergistic antibacterial action via targeting cell membrane proteins. The only combination of Sapindoside A and B (S AB ) with synergistic activity against Micrococcusluteus ( M. luteus ) was obtained, where the MICs of Sapindoside A and B were one fourth of their individual minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). After treatment with S AB , the spectral features of protein in the cell membrane of M. luteus showed obvious changes based on Raman spectroscopy, and the constitutions of membrane proteins were changed seriously. Besides, changes in protein microenvironment was observed, and the contribution of Sapindoside A was greater than that of Sapindoside B with concentration below 2MIC. Molecular docking also demonstrated that Sapindoside A interacted with penicillin-binding protein 2, and showed higher binding energy than Sapindoside B, further indicating that the greater contribution in the synergistic action of S AB on membrane proteins. Collectively, these results showed that the synergistic antibacterial action of Sapindoside A and B against M. luteus could be achieved by attacking cell membrane proteins, and Sapindoside A played a major role, suggesting that S AB has the potential to be the natural antibacterial detergent additive in food industry, although it is limited in its scope of antimicrobial activity against foodborne bacteria. • Synergistic antibacterial combination of Sapindoside A and B (S AB ) was obtained. • Spectral features of membrane protein changed greatly based on Raman spectroscopy. • Degradation of membrane proteins and change in protein microenvironment was observed. • Contribution of Sapindoside A was greater than that of Sapindoside B in the S AB .
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
