Synergistic effects of blue light-emitting diodes in combination with antimicrobials against Escherichia coli O157:H7 and their mode of action

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the antibacterial effect of 460–470 nm light-emitting diodes illumination (460/470 LED) combined with various antimicrobials at inactivating Escherichia coli O157:H7 and identify the antibacterial mechanisms. When carvacrol, thymol, citric acid, malic acid, citrus fruit extract, 3% NaCl, or 5% NaCl was combined with 460/470 LED, there was a higher reduction in E. coli O157:H7 compared to 460/470 LED treatment or antimicrobials alone at 4 °C. Particularly, a marked synergistic effect (>8.74 log10 CFU/ml) was observed when 460/470 LED was combined with carvacrol, malic acid, citrus fruit extract, or 3% NaCl. Levels of intracellular ROS and lipid peroxidation of E. coli O157:H7 were higher in the combination of 460/470 LED and antimicrobials compared to individual treatments. Moreover, the combination treatment increased depolarization of the cell membrane leading to membrane damage as well as the loss of DNA integrity. Thus, adding antimicrobial treatment to 460/470 LED could improve its efficacy against pathogenic bacteria such as E. coli O157:H7. © 2020 Elsevier B.V.