In vitro antimicrobial activity of pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) polyphenols.
We investigated the antimicrobial properties of polyphenol-rich fractions derived from raw shelled and roasted salted pistachios. American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), food and clinical isolates, of Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas mirabilis), Gram-positive bacteria (Listeria monocytogenes, Enterococcus hirae, Enterococcus faecium, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus), the yeasts Candida albicans and Candida parapsilosis and the fungus Aspergillus niger were used. Pistachio extracts were active against Gram-positive bacteria with a bactericidal effect observed against L. monocytogenes (ATCC strains and food isolates), S. aureus and MRSA clinical isolates. Extracts from raw shelled pistachios were more active than those from roasted salted pistachios. The bactericidal activity of pistachio extracts could be used to help control the growth of some microorganisms in foods to improve safety and may find application as a topical treatment for S. aureus.
Dipartimento di Scienze del Farmaco e Prodotti per la Salute, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
Carlo
C
Bisignano
Angela
A
Filocamo
Richard M
RM
Faulks
Giuseppina
G
Mandalari
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001230:Aspergillus / Q000187:drug effects; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects; D016983:Enterococcus / Q000187:drug effects; D005511:Food Handling; D008089:Listeria monocytogenes / Q000187:drug effects; D055624:Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects*; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D027927:Pistacia / Q000737:chemistry*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D059808:Polyphenols / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D059808:Polyphenols