Relevance of N-acyl-L-homoserine lactone production by Yersinia enterocolitica in fresh foods.
OBJECTIVE
Determination of the food matrix impact on the potential for N-acyl-L-homoserine lactones (AHLs) production by Yersinia enterocolitica.


RESULTS
Induction and inhibition of a sensor strain and a fluorescent assay were used to investigate Y. enterocolitica AHL production in artificial media, as well as in different food extracts. All Y. enterocolitica strains tested produced AHLs in artificial media. Thin Layer Chromatography analysis of Y. enterocolitica strains indicated the production of 3-oxo-hexanoyl homoserine lactone and hexanoyl homoserine lactone. Yersinia enterocolitica produced AHL principally in fish and meat extracts.


CONCLUSIONS
AHL production by Y. enterocolitica was observed in products of animal origin, but were inhibited by some vegetables extracts.


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that quorum sensing systems in Y. enterocolitica is significant in foods but depends upon the type of food. Determination of physiological functions in Y. enterocolitica which are regulated by quorum sensing and their relation to the production of AHLs in foods need to be further assessed.
Medina-Martínez
M S
MS
Laboratory of Food Microbiology and Food Preservation, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
Uyttendaele
M
M
Meireman
S
S
Debevere
J
J
D015107:4-Butyrolactone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D002855:Chromatography, Thin Layer; D005516:Food Microbiology; D053038:Quorum Sensing; D015009:Yersinia Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D015008:Yersinia enterocolitica / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000472:pathogenicity
C088386:homoserine lactone; D015107:4-Butyrolactone