Foodborne pathogens possess the ability to develop adaptive responses to sublethal environmental stresses, leading to increased tolerance to homologous or heterologous stressing agents commonly applied during food manufacturing. This phenomenon may counteract the effectiveness of current intervention strategies to ensure food safety, thus increasing consumer risk. Foodborne pathogens encounter ethanol, a common food component and a widely used food processing agent, in a variety of niches during their life cycles. The present contribution provides an overview of the influence of adaptation to sublethal doses of ethanol on the stress tolerance of major foodborne pathogens (e.g. Salmonella enterica, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Listeria monocytogenes, Bacillus cereus, and Cronobacter sakazakii). Fundamental studies on ethanol adaptation mechanisms with a focus on cell membrane properties, gene expression patterns, protein profiles, and mutagenic analyses are discussed. Furthermore, knowledge gaps on effective mitigation of ethanol adaptation in foodborne pathogens are identified and addressed.
Keywords: Ethanol adaptation; cell membrane; gene expression; pathogenic bacteria; protein profile; stress tolerance.