title: Antimicrobial spectrum and target site of D-3-phenyllactic acid.
abstract: Geotrichum candidum excretes D-3-phenyllactic acid, which inhibits the growth of Listeria monocytogenes. It was found to inhibit a range of gram-positive bacteria found in humans and foodstuffs, such as Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis, and gram-negative bacteria from humans, such as Providencia stuartii and Klebsiella oxytoca. Scanning electron microscope studies on the effect of D-3-phenyllactic acid on L. monocytogenes showed that it caused changes in bacterial behavior and structure. The bacteria formed aggregates and secreted polysaccharides; their cell walls lost their rigidity, causing the cells to swell. Finally the bacteria broke down completely and the cells disintegrate.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Microbiologie Alimentaire, Institut de Recherche en Biologie Appliquée, Université de Caen, France.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Dieuleveux
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lemarinier
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Guéguen
mesh_terms: D005848:Geotrichum / Q000378:metabolism*; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D006801:Humans; D007773:Lactates / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008089:Listeria monocytogenes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
chemical_list: D007773:Lactates; C017648:3-phenyllactic acid