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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BARC) » Beltsville Agricultural Research Center » Environmental Microbial & Food Safety Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #309530
Title: Swarm motility of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium is inhibited by compounds from fruit peel extracts

Author
item MAHADWAR, GAURI - US Department Of Agriculture (USDA)
item Chauhan, Kamlesh
item BHAGAVATHY, GANGA - US Department Of Agriculture (USDA)
item Murphy, Charles
item Smith, Allen
item Bhagwat, Arvind

Submitted to: Letters in Applied Microbiology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/17/2014
Publication Date: 1/10/2015
Citation: Mahadwar, G., Chauhan, K.R., Bhagavathy, G., Murphy, C.F., Smith, A.D., Bhagwat, A.A. 2015. Swarm motility of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium is inhibited by compounds from fruit peel extracts. Letters in Applied Microbiology. 60:334-340.

Interpretive Summary: Controlling the spread of human pathogens on fresh produce is a top priority for public health reasons. Isolation of compounds from agricultural byproducts that would stop or retard the spread of human pathogens was explored using Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium as a model organism. Compounds extracted from various agricultural byproducts such as soybean husk, peels of orange, pineapple, avocado, and pomegranate were tested for inhibition of pathogen mobility. Pomegranate peel extract inhibited pathogen spread on moist surfaces and was examined in further detail. Several key Salmonella motility regulatory genes were down regulated (turned off) upon exposure to pomegranate extract. Pomegranate peels offer great potential as a bio-active repellent for pathogenic microorganisms. The research will benefit the fresh produce industry, as well as increasing the microbial food safety of the Americans food supply.

Technical Abstract: Controlling spread of human pathogens on fresh produce is a top priority for public health reasons. Isolation of compounds from agricultural waste that would control spread of human pathogens was explored using Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium as a model organism. In the environment microorganisms migrate as a 'community' especially when they move on moist surfaces. This type of motility is characterized as swarming motility. We examined extracts from agricultural waste such as soybean husk, peels of orange, pineapple, avocado, and pomegranate for anti-swarming activity. Avocado peels showed moderate inhibition of swarming motility while pomegranate peel extract had high anti-swarming activity and was examined in further detail. Although the pomegranate peel extract was acidic, swarm inhibitory activity was not due to low pH and the peel extract did not inhibit growth of Salmonella. Several key swarm motility regulatory genes were down regulated upon exposure to pomegranate extract. Pomegranate peels offer great potential as a bio-active repellent for pathogenic microorganisms.