Effect of dual-frequency thermosonication, food matrix, and germinants on Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris spore germination

• Published in: Food research international 2023-09, Vol.171, p.113054-113054, Article 113054
• Main Authors: Wahia, Hafida, Fakayode, Olugbenga Abiola, Mintah, Benjamin Kumah, Mustapha, Abdullateef Taiye, Zhou, Cunshan, Dabbour, Mokhtar
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alicyclobacillus; Artificial germinants; Beverages; Calcium dipicolinate; Fruit and Vegetable Juices; L-alanine; Orange juice; Spores, Bacterial; Ultrasound
• ISSN: 0963-9969; 1873-7145
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2023.113054

[Display omitted] •DFTS induced A. acidoterrestris spore germination in orange juice.•Conductivity confirmed spore inner membrane (IM) damage by DFTS before germination.•Low DPA concentrations were achieved after 10 h incubation with L-alanine (L-ala).•TEM displayed IM poration and coat detachment of spore before L-ala germination. The off-odors associated with spoilage of acidic beverages are linked to the germination and growth of Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris (AAT) spores. As a consequence, we determined the influence of nutrients, non-nutrient germinants, dual-frequency thermosonication (DFTS), and food matrix on spore germination. AAT spores in orange juice (OJ), supplemented by L-alanine (L-ala), had the highest germination rate and lowest DPA content at 10 h of incubation. The formation of microscopic pores in cell membranes during DFTS caused irreversible damage in AAT spores in citrate buffer solution (CBS); however, it stimulated AAT spore germination in CBS containing L-ala. Hence, the germination potential was established in the order: L-ala > Calcium dipicolinate > asparagine, glucose, fructose, and potassium ion mixture (AGFK) > L-valine. The conductivity analysis indicated that membrane damage could be a key factor contributing to the artificial germination in CBS. AFM images revealed that after 2 h of adding L-ala, the protein content increased with increased germinated cells. TEM showed that membrane poration and coat detachment were the main pre-germination morphological changes detected after DFTS treatment. This study provides evidence that germination stimulated with DFTS might be an effective strategy for reducing A. acidoterrestris spores in fruit juices.