Detection of N-acyl-L-homoserine lactones degradation by Bacillus spp
Medina-Martínez, M.S.; Uyttendaele, M.; Nadal Jimenez, P.; Debevere, J.
Communications in Agricultural and Applied Biological Sciences 70(2): 15-18
2005
ISSN/ISBN: 1379-1176 PMID: 16366266 Document Number: 586839
A study was conducted to identify potential acyl homoserine lactone (AHL)-degrading Bacillus spp. strains and evaluate its possible use in the disruption of communication systems in Gram negative bacteria associated with foods. The ability to produce quorum sensing (QS) blocking compounds was explored in 51 Bacillus spp. Two short-chain AHLs (C6-HSL and 3-oxo-C6-HSL) were selected as target molecules for the degradation assay. After detecting the ability of some strains to degrade AHLs, their behaviour in front of natural autoinducers was studied. Y. enterocolitica O57 producing C6-HSL and 3-oxo-C6-HSL and H. alvei 253 producing 3-oxo-C6-HSL were selected as producers. Bacillus spp. 625 and B. cereus 720 were selected as degrading strains. At 30 degrees C, 15 of 21 (71%) B. cereus strains tested were able to degrade AHLs. Other Bacillus species tested were mostly not able to degrade any AHL. Two strains of Bacillus were found able to degrade both tested autoinducers. Results found at 30 degrees C for degradation of natural autoinducers produced by Y. enterocolitica O57 were very satisfactory; similar results for Hafnia alvei were found. B. cereus 720 and Bacillus spp. 625 degraded the autoinducer molecules present in the sterile supernatant of these bacteria. The addition of blocking and/or degrading QS molecules together with the possibility of controlling QS by alteration of the factors that induce QS signalling could be an alternative to other additives in the prevention of foodborne pathogens.