LuxS-targeted quorum sensing inhibition by apple peel polyphenols disrupts mono- and multi-species biofilm formation by Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella Typhimurium

초록

Apple peel extract (APE), rich in bioactive phenolics, was evaluated for its anti-biofilm activity against Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella Typhimurium. APE significantly inhibited mono- and multi-species biofilm formation without affecting bacterial viability, indicating a non-bactericidal mechanism. It suppressed key biofilm traits, including motility, attachment, and aggregation, and reduced autoinducer-2 (AI-2) production, a quorum sensing (QS) signal. In silico analyses identified epicatechin, naringenin, and catechin as potential LuxS inhibitors, which was supported by molecular docking and dynamic simulations. Experimental validation confirmed these compounds inhibited AI-2 synthesis and biofilm development. These findings suggest that APE disrupts biofilm formation by targeting the LuxS/AI-2 QS system, highlighting the potential of apple peel polyphenols as natural QS inhibitors for controlling foodborne pathogens. © 2026 The Authors.

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