HEALTH NEWS

Study Title:

Monolaurin Incorproates Into Gram Positive Bacteria Cell Membranes

Study Abstract

The combined lactic acid, monolaurin, and nisin effect on time to detection (OD 600) extension was greater (P<0.05) than any single or paired combination effect, which demonstrates a synergistic interaction among the antimicrobials. Monolaurin exposure caused C12:0 cell membrane incorporation. Lactic acid caused increased monolaurin C12:0 membrane incorporation, while nisin had no influence. We postulate that lactic acid enhanced monolaurin C12:0 incorporation into the cell membrane increased membrane fluidity resulting in increased nisin activity.

Study Information

Tokarskyy O, Marshall DL.
Mechanism of Synergistic Inhibition of Listeria monocytogenes with Lactic Acid, Monolaurin, and Nisin.
Appl Environ Microbiol.
2008 September
Department of Food Science, Nutrition, and Health Promotion, Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, Mississippi State University, Box 9805, Mississippi State, MS 39762-9805, USA.