Effects of short-chain nitrocompounds against Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli in vitro

J Food Sci. 2007 Mar;72(2):M50-5. doi: 10.1111/j.1750-3841.2006.00255.x.

Abstract

Effects of 2-nitro-1-propanol, 2-nitroethanol, nitroethane, and 2-nitro-methyl-propionate (0, 10, and 20 mM) on growth of Campylobacter jejuni were tested during culture in Bolton broth adjusted to pH 5.6, 7.0, or 8.2. The nitrocompounds were similarly tested against C. coli but at pH 8.2 only. Viable cell counts measured during incubation revealed main effects (P < 0.05) of all nitrocompounds on the survivability of C. jejuni. An effect of pH (P < 0.05) on the survivability of C. Jejuni during incubation with nitrocompounds was observed, with greater inhibition observed at pH 8.2 than at pH 5.6 or 7.0 for nitroethane, 2-nitro-l-propanol, and 2-nitroethanol, but not for 2-nitro-methyl-propionate, which showed greatest inhibition at pH 5.6. Except for 2-nitro-methyl-propionate, which was ineffective, all nitrocompounds elicited similar effects on C. coli. The effect of nitroethane and 2-nitro-l-propanol (10 mM) on naturally occurring Campylobacter was investigated during incubation of porcine fecal suspensions, where Campylobacter concentrations decreased more rapidly (P < 0.05) in suspensions with added 2-nitro-l-propanol than in unsupplemented or nitroethane-supplemented suspensions, thus reiterating the superior inhibitory effect of 2-nitro-l-propanol.

MeSH terms

  • Area Under Curve
  • Campylobacter coli / drug effects*
  • Campylobacter coli / growth & development
  • Campylobacter jejuni / drug effects*
  • Campylobacter jejuni / growth & development
  • Colony Count, Microbial
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Ethane
  • Food Handling / methods*
  • Food Microbiology
  • Food Preservation / methods
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration*
  • Kinetics
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Nitro Compounds / pharmacology*
  • Propanols

Substances

  • 2-nitropropanol
  • Nitro Compounds
  • Propanols
  • Ethane