Tannin-Rich Fraction from Pomegranate Rind Inhibits Quorum Sensing in Chromobacterium violaceum and Biofilm Formation in Escherichia coli

Foodborne Pathog Dis. 2016 Jan;13(1):28-35. doi: 10.1089/fpd.2015.2027. Epub 2015 Nov 23.

Abstract

Pomegranate rind has been found to inhibit numerous pathogens, mostly attributed to its tannin fraction. The present study was conducted to investigate the quorum sensing (QS) inhibition effect of tannin-rich fraction from pomegranate rind (TFPR) by using an indicator strain Chromobacterium violaceum. Meanwhile, its effect on biofilm formation and motility of Escherichia coli was evaluated. It was shown that TFPR inhibited QS-regulated violacein pigment production. Biofilm formation and motility of E. coli were also hindered by TFPR. Transcriptional analysis further showed that TFPR repressed expressions of curli genes (csgB and csgD) and various motility genes (fimA, fimH, flhD, motB, qseB, and qseC). Our findings indicated that TFPR has potential application for controlling E. coli contaminations or biofilms in the food industry.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biofilms / drug effects*
  • Biofilms / growth & development
  • Chromobacterium / drug effects*
  • Chromobacterium / physiology
  • Escherichia coli / drug effects*
  • Escherichia coli / physiology
  • Food Contamination
  • Food Microbiology
  • Foodborne Diseases / microbiology
  • Foodborne Diseases / prevention & control*
  • Lythraceae / chemistry*
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry
  • Plant Extracts / isolation & purification
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Quorum Sensing / drug effects*
  • Tannins / chemistry
  • Tannins / isolation & purification
  • Tannins / pharmacology

Substances

  • Plant Extracts
  • Tannins