Bioactive berry compounds : novel tools against human pathogens

Berry fruits are rich sources of bioactive compounds, such as phenolics and organic acids, which have antimicrobial activities against human pathogens. Among different berries and berry phenolics, cranberry, cloudberry, raspberry, strawberry and bilberry especially possess clear antimicrobial effect...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Applied microbiology and biotechnology 2005-04, Vol.67 (1), p.8-18
Main Authors: PUUPPONEN-PIMIÄ, Riitta, NOHYNEK, Liisa, ALAKOMI, Hanna-Leena, OKSMAN-CALDENTEY, Kirsi-Marja
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anti-Bacterial Agents - chemistry
Anti-Bacterial Agents - isolation & purification
Anti-Bacterial Agents - pharmacology
Antibacterial agents
Antimicrobial agents
Bacteria
Bioactive compounds
Biological and medical sciences
Biotechnology
Fruit - chemistry
Fruits
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Health. Pharmaceutical industry
Industrial applications and implications. Economical aspects
Microbiology
Miscellaneous
Organic acids
Pathogens
Phenols
Plant Extracts - chemistry
Plant Extracts - isolation & purification
Plant Extracts - pharmacology
Polymers
Salmonella - drug effects
Staphylococcus - drug effects
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Summary:Berry fruits are rich sources of bioactive compounds, such as phenolics and organic acids, which have antimicrobial activities against human pathogens. Among different berries and berry phenolics, cranberry, cloudberry, raspberry, strawberry and bilberry especially possess clear antimicrobial effects against, e.g. Salmonella and Staphylococcus. Complex phenolic polymers, like ellagitannins, are strong antibacterial agents present in cloudberry and raspberry. Several mechanisms of action in the growth inhibition of bacteria are involved, such as destabilisation of cytoplasmic membrane, permeabilisation of plasma membrane, inhibition of extracellular microbial enzymes, direct actions on microbial metabolism and deprivation of the substrates required for microbial growth. Antimicrobial activity of berries may also be related to antiadherence of bacteria to epithelial cells, which is a prerequisite for colonisation and infection of many pathogens. Antimicrobial berry compounds may have important applications in the future as natural antimicrobial agents for food industry as well as for medicine. Some of the novel approaches are discussed.
ISSN:0175-7598
1432-0614
DOI:10.1007/s00253-004-1817-x