title: Effects of nisin on the antimicrobial activity of d-limonene and its nanoemulsion.
abstract: d-Limonene has been considered to be a safer alternative compared to synthetic antimicrobial food additives. However, its hydrophobic and oxidative nature has limited its application in foods. The purpose of this research was to study effects of nisin on the antimicrobial activity of d-limonene and its nanoemulsion and develop a novel antimicrobial delivery system by combining the positive effect of these two antibacterial agents at the same time. By the checkerboard method, both the synergistic and additive effects of d-limonene and nisin were found against four selected food-related microorganisms. Then, d-limonene nanoemulsion with or without nisin was prepared by catastrophic phase inversion method, which has shown good droplet size and stability. The positive effects and outstanding antimicrobial activity of d-limonene nanoemulsion with nisin were confirmed by MICs comparison, scanning electron microscopy and determination of cell constituents released. Overall, the research described in the current article would be helpful in developing a more effective antimicrobial system for the production and preservation of foods.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Zijie
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science, Harper Adams University, Newport, Shropshire TF10 8NB, England, UK.
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vriesekoop
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Qipeng
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Yuan
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, People's Republic of China. Electronic address: lianghao@mail.buct.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Hao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Liang
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D053138:Cyclohexenes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004357:Drug Synergism; D004655:Emulsions / Q000494:pharmacology; D000077222:Limonene; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D009561:Nisin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013729:Terpenes / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D053138:Cyclohexenes; D004655:Emulsions; D013729:Terpenes; D009561:Nisin; D000077222:Limonene
keywords: Antimicrobial activity; Essential oils; Nanoemulsion; Nisin; d-Limonene