Comparative analysis of Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 ghosts quality: a study of two chemical methods

• Published in: Archives of microbiology 2024-09, Vol.206 (9), p.386, Article 386
• Main Authors: Salasar Moghaddam, Fahimeh, Tabibian, Mobina, Absalan, Moloud, Tavoosidana, Gholamreza, Ghahremani, Mohammad Hossein, Tabatabaei, Nasrollah, Abdolhosseini, Mansoreh, Shafiee Sabet, Mahdi, Motevaseli, Elahe
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anti-Bacterial Agents - chemistry; Anti-Bacterial Agents - pharmacology; Bacteria; Benzoic acid; Benzoic Acid - chemistry; Benzoic Acid - pharmacology; Biochemistry; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biotechnology; Cell Biology; Cell Membrane - drug effects; Cell Membrane - metabolism; Cell membranes; Coliforms; Comparative analysis; E coli; Ecology; Escherichia coli; Escherichia coli - drug effects; Escherichia coli - genetics; Field emission microscopy; Gram-negative bacteria; Life Sciences; Membrane permeability; Microbial Ecology; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Microbiology; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Minimum inhibitory concentration; Original Paper; Scanning electron microscopy; Sodium hydroxide; Sodium Hydroxide - chemistry; Sodium Hydroxide - pharmacology
• ISSN: 0302-8933; 1432-072X; 1432-072X
• DOI: 10.1007/s00203-024-04095-0

The gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 (EcN) has long been recognized for its therapeutic potential in treating various intestinal diseases. Bacterial ghosts (BGs) are empty shells of non-living bacterial cells that demonstrate enormous potential for medicinal applications. Genetic and chemical techniques can create these BGs. In the current study, we produced Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 ghosts (EcNGs) for the first time using benzoic acid (BA) and sodium hydroxide (SH). BA is a feeble acidic chemical that enhances gram-negative bacteria’s external membrane permeability, reduces energy production, and decreases internal pH. SH has shown success in producing BGs from some gram-negative and gram-positive organisms. This research aims to produce EcNGs using the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of SH and BA, specifically 3.125 mg/mL. We assessed the bacterial quality of the BGs produced using quantitative PCR (qPCR) and Bradford protein assays. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) showed the three-dimensional structure of EcNGs. The study confirmed the presence of tunnel-like pores on the outer surface, indicating the preservation of cell membrane integrity. Importantly, this investigation introduces BA as a novel chemical inducer of EcNGs, suggesting its potential alongside SH for efficient EcNG formation. Graphical Abstract