Efficacy of combination of slightly acidic electrolyzed water and ultrasound for inactivation of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in vitro and in sliced tilapia

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of slightly acidic electrolyzed water (SAEW) and ultrasound (US) combination on the inactivation of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in vitro and in fish samples. The bacterial log reductions caused by the US and SAEW treatment for 15 min were 0.99 and 2.63 log CFU/ml in vitro, respectively, while SAEW-US combination achieved a 3.10 log reduction. MTT assay and protein leakage test showed that SAEW-US combination impaired cell viability and damaged cell membrane. In addition, compared to the US or SAEW treatment, SAEW-US combination induced higher reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, more apoptotic cells, and severer damage in bacterial cells. In spiked sliced tilapia samples, SAEW-US combination caused about 2 log reduction of inoculated pathogen. In conclusion, these findings demonstrate that SAEW-US combination could be potentially developed as an alternative strategy to control V. parahaemolyticus contamination in aquatic foods. Novelty impact statement SAEW-US combination effectively inactivates Vibrio parahaemolyticus, partly through inducing cellular ROS production, bacterial cell apoptosis, and microstructural changes. SAEW-US combination reduces the level of V. parahaemolyticus in spiked tilapia samples. SAEW-US combination could be potentially developed as an alternative strategy to control V. parahaemolyticus in aquatic foods.