Work

Assessing the risk of cross-tolerance to heat in Escherichia coli exposed to antibacterial Blue Light

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Significance Escherichia coli, includes pathogenic strains that contaminate food products, creating challenges for the food industry. Non-thermal methods like antimicrobial blue light (aBL) are gaining attention as an alternative to thermal processing. This study assessed whether cross-tolerance could develop between aBL and heat treatments in E. coli under sublethal stress conditions. Approach Experiments were performed using E. coli and 64 aBL-hypersensitive mutants. aBL tolerance was developed through 10 days of sublethal exposure, while heat-tolerant strains were exposed to 52°C for 20 minutes. Cross-stress tolerance risk was then assessed. Results Repeated sublethal exposure to heat and aBL resulted in stable phenotypic adaptations. Populations with increased aBL tolerance showed enhanced heat tolerance. Genomic analysis identified 11 genes involved in cross-stress tolerance. These adaptations did not affect antibiotic susceptibility. Conclusions aBL shows promise as a complementary food processing tool, though the risk of cross-tolerance should be considered when combining aBL with heat treatments.

Source: Photodiagnosis and Photodynamic Therapy

DOI: 10.1016/j.pdpdt.2025.105110

Author: Aleksandra Rapacka-Zdonczyk

Institution: University of Gdańsk

Language: English

Topic: Microbial Inactivation Methods

Subfield: Biotechnology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,610