Inhibition of bacterial quorum sensing by vanilla extract.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to search for a novel quorum sensing inhibitor and analyse its inhibitory activity.


RESULTS
Quorum sensing inhibition was monitored using the Tn-5 mutant, Chromobacterium violaceum CV026. Vanilla beans (Vanilla planifolia Andrews) were extracted using 75% (v/v) aqueous methanol and added to C. violaceum CV026 cultures. Inhibitory activity was measured by quantifying violacein production using a spectrophotometer. The results have revealed that vanilla extract significantly reduced violacein production in a concentration-dependent manner, indicating inhibition of quorum sensing.


CONCLUSIONS
Vanilla, a widely used spice and flavour, can inhibit bacterial quorum sensing.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that the intake of vanilla-containing food materials might promote human health by inhibiting quorum sensing and preventing bacterial pathogenesis. Further studies are required to isolate specific substances from vanilla extract acting as quorum sensing inhibitors.
Choo
J H
JH
Department of Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Rukayadi
Y
Y
Hwang
J-K
JK
D015107:4-Butyrolactone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000378:metabolism; D002861:Chromobacterium / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development*; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; D007211:Indoles / Q000378:metabolism; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests / Q000379:methods; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D031669:Vanilla / Q000737:chemistry*
D007211:Indoles; C104908:N-hexanoyl-L-homoserine lactone; D010936:Plant Extracts; D015107:4-Butyrolactone; C063155:violacein