Inhibition and eradication of Listeria monocytogenes biofilm using the combined treatment with nisin and sesamol

Abstract

Listeria monocytogenes can form biofilms, which enables it to persist in the food industry and poses a significant threat to food safety. The combination of nisin (NS) and sesamol (SE) has been found to inhibit the proliferation of L. monocytogenes. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of the combined use of NS and SE on the biofilm formation of L. monocytogenes and investigate the potential underlying mechanisms. The results showed that the combination of NS and SE completely inhibited the biofilm formation of both strains on the stainless steel sheet within 48 h. The existing L.monocytogenes biofilm on the stainless steel sheet was completely removed within 4 h after the combined treatment of NS and SE. Compared with individual treatment, the combined use of NS and SE resulted in a more significant downregulation in gene expression of fbpA, which is associated with L. monocytogenes biofilm formation. The findings suggest that the combined strategy of NS and SE in food processing has greater potential to control the formation of L. monocytogenes biofilms and eliminate existing ones, compared with using NS or SE alone.