Beetroot (Beta vulgaris) extract exerts an antibacterial effect by inducing apoptosis-like death in Bacillus cereus

• Published in: Journal of functional foods 2023-06, Vol.105, p.105571, Article 105571
• Main Authors: Gong, Shaoying, Jiao, Chaoqin, Liu, Biqi, Qu, Wenxuan, Guo, Ling, Jiang, Yujun
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antibacterial; Apoptosis-like death; Bacillus cereus; Beetroot extract; Phytochemical
• ISSN: 1756-4646; 2214-9414
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jff.2023.105571

[Display omitted] •Beetroot extract (BE) can inhibit Bacillus cereus.•BE caused apoptosis-like death in B. cereus by depleted reactive oxygen species.•BE decreased the ATP level of B. cereus.•A total of 745 phytochemicals were identified in the BE by UPLC-ESI-MS technology. In this study, we assessed the phytochemicals of beetroot (Beta vulgaris) extract (BE), and examined the antibacterial activity and possible mechanism of BE against Bacillus cereus. The phytochemicals in BE were analyzed by UPLC-ESI-MS-based widely targeted metabolomics analysis, and identified a total of 745 phytochemicals. Nine polyphenols and 19 flavonoids with growth-inhibiting activity against B. cereus were identified. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of BE against B. cereus was 15 mg/mL. The intracellular adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP) levels were decreased and the B. cereus exhibited the features of apoptosis-like death (ALD) [cell membrane depolarization, caspase-like protein activation, phosphatidylserine (PS) translocation, and DNA fragmentation] by depleting reactive oxygen species (ROS) after BE treatment. These results suggest BE is rich in bioactive substances and induces ALD in B. cereus. Thus, the phytochemicals diversity makes BE as a source of bioactive ingredients, especially as a promising potential natural preservative to reduce B. cereus contamination.