Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Effect of ε-Polylysine against Salmonella Enteritidis, Listeria monocytogenes, and Escherichia coli in Tryptic Soy Broth and Chicken Juice

epsilon-Polylysine (epsilon-PL) is a safe food additive that is used in the food industry globally. This study evaluated the antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity of antibacterial peptides (epsilon-PL) against food poisoning pathogens detected in chicken (Salmonella Enteritidis, Listeria monocytogenes, and Escherichia coli). The results showed that minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranged between 0.031-1.0 mg/mL, although most bacterial groups (75%) showed MICs of 1.0 mg/mL. The reduction in the cell viability of pathogens due to epsilon-PL depended on the time and concentration, and 1/2 x MIC of epsilon-PL killed 99.99% of pathogens after 10 h of incubation. To confirm biofilm inhibition and degradation effects, crystal violet assay and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) were used. The biofilm formation rates of four bacterial groups (Salmonella, Listeria, E. coli, and multi-species bacteria) were 10.36%, 9.10%, 17.44%, and 21.37% at 1/2 x MIC of epsilon-PL, respectively. Additionally, when observed under a CLSM, epsilon-PL was found to induce biofilm destruction and bacterial cytotoxicity. These results demonstrated that epsilon-PL has the potential to be used as an antibiotic and antibiofilm material for chicken meat processing.

Automated summary

The study evaluated the antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity of epsilon-PL against food poisoning pathogens in chicken, showing strong antibacterial and biofilm inhibition effects. epsilon-PL demonstrated potential as an antibiotic and antibiofilm material for chicken meat processing.