Antimicrobial activity of chitosan against Campylobacter spp. and other microorganisms and its mechanism of action

J Food Prot. 2009 Aug;72(8):1735-8. doi: 10.4315/0362-028x-72.8.1735.

Abstract

The antimicrobial activities of three chitosans with different molecular masses against six gram-negative and three gram-positive bacteria were examined. Campylobacter spp. were the microorganisms most sensitive to chitosan, regardless of their molecular mass. The MIC of chitosan for Campylobacter ranged from 0.005 to 0.05%, demonstrating the global sensitivity of campylobacters to chitosan. Chitosan caused a loss in the membrane integrity of Campylobacter, measured as an increase in cell fluorescence due to the uptake of propidium iodide, a dye that is normally excluded from cells with intact membranes. As cells entered the stationary phase, there was a change in cell membrane resistance toward a loss of integrity caused by chitosan. This study demonstrates that chitosans could be a promising antimicrobial to control Campylobacter.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Campylobacter / drug effects*
  • Campylobacter / growth & development
  • Cell Membrane Permeability / drug effects*
  • Chitosan / pharmacology*
  • Colony Count, Microbial
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Gram-Negative Bacteria / drug effects
  • Gram-Negative Bacteria / growth & development
  • Gram-Positive Bacteria / drug effects
  • Gram-Positive Bacteria / growth & development
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Molecular Weight

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Chitosan