Trending biocontrol strategies against Cronobacter sakazakii: A recent updated review. (November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chauhan, Rajni; Singh, Niharika; Pal, Gaurav Kumar; Goel, Gunjan
• Is Part Of: Food research international. Volume 137(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-11
• Subjects: Cronobacter sakazakii -- Powdered infant formula -- Biological methods -- Food safety; Food -- Analysis -- Periodicals; Food industry and trade -- Periodicals; Food industry and trade -- Canada -- Periodicals; Food Technology -- Periodicals; Food -- Periodicals; Food-Processing Industry -- Periodicals; Aliments -- Industrie et commerce -- Périodiques; Aliments -- Industrie et commerce -- Canada -- Périodiques; Aliments -- Recherche -- Périodiques; Food industry and trade; Canada; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 664.005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2020.109385
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0963-9969

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Biological agents or molecules from plants and microorganisms can inhibit C. sakazakii. Most of the biological agents interfere with cell membrane integrity and functions. Augmented biological agents with physico-chemical approaches results in better control of the C. sakazakii. Abstract: Cronobacter sakazakii is an emerging foodborne pathogen, causing life-threatening infections in newborns and premature infants. Cronobacter spp. can survive under difficult processing conditions thereby contaminate the Powdered Infant Formula (PIF) during the manufacturing process. Infantile infections are associated with the consumption of contaminated PIF that was either contaminated intrinsically or extrinsically. This necessitates the development of sustainable strategies to manage the risk of Cronobacter infections. Natural methods of preservation holds promise as a viable alternative strategy to address the critical problem of emerging antimicrobial resistance and also to limit the negative effects of commonly used physico-chemical methods in food processing. The present study reviews the efficacies, potentials and developmental trends of biological antagonists and a combinatorial therapy to eliminate C. sakazakii using in vitro and in vivo methods. The mode of action of each biocontrol method has been discussed comprehensively. Most of these biocontrol agents interfere with the cell membrane integrity and its functions. However, none of the individual methods are able to eliminate the pathogen completely from the model food system i.e. reconstituted PIF. Each of the biological control strategies (agent) has its limitations in terms of their dose and method of application. A synergistic effect has been observed between the biological agent and physico-chemical treatments that may have the potential to ensure pathogen-free foods. Future research studies should evaluate the synergistic activities of these methods for their implication in infant foods as well as to understand the mechanisms of inactivation.