Susceptibility of Campylobacter jejuni to organic acids and monoacylglycerols

Abstract

Organic acids can be used as feed supplements or for treatment of poultry carcasses in processing plants. The antimicrobial activity of nineteen organic acids and two monoacylglycerols in cultures of Campylobacter jejuni CCM 6214(T) (ATCC 33560) was determined using a SYBR Green-based real-time PCR assay. The IC50 was a concentration at which only 50 % of a bacteria specific DNA sequence was amplified. Caprylic, capric and lauric acids were the most efficient antimicrobials among the compounds tested (IC50 a parts per thousand currency sign 0.1 mg/mL). In a weakly acidic environment (pH 5.5), the antimicrobial activity was more pronounced than at pH 6.5. At pH 5.5, oleic and fumaric acid also had clear antimicrobial activity, as did monocaprylin. The antimicrobial activity of acetic, butyric, stearic and succinic acid was low.