Quorum Sensing Dynamics in Food Microbiology
Summary
Microbial quorum sensing is a density-dependent gene regulation mechanism by which bacteria coordinate collective behaviour through the production and detection of small signalling molecules. In food systems, these networks govern critical functions including biofilm formation, secretion of spoilage enzymes, expression of virulence factors and adaptive resistance to stress. Gram-negative spoilers such as Pseudomonas, Aeromonas and Hafnia spp. rely predominantly on N-acyl-homoserine lactones (AHLs) to modulate community dynamics on food surfaces and in processing environments. Advances in analytical methods have revealed the spatiotemporal patterns of signal accumulation, uncovering both intra- and interspecies cross-talk that can accelerate spoilage or enhance pathogen persistence. Concurrent efforts to identify natural and synthetic quorum sensing inhibitors offer novel strategies for biofilm control and shelf-life extension. A comprehensive understanding of these social behaviours is essential for safeguarding food quality, reducing economic losses and informing global regulatory measures.
Research from Nature Portfolio
Recent studies have demonstrated that curcumin encapsulated within liposomal nanoparticles can effectively disrupt AHL-mediated signalling in Aeromonas sobria. Sub-inhibitory concentrations of these liposomes attenuated siderophore production, swimming and swarming motility, extracellular protease activity and biofilm biomass. In silico modelling suggests that curcumin interacts with the LuxI-type acyltransferase, thereby limiting AHL synthesis and impairing virulence expression in a food-related context.
Quorum Sensing Dynamics in Food Microbiology publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in quorum sensing dynamics in food microbiology across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Quorum sensing: A cell-density-dependent communication system in bacteria enabling coordinated gene expression via diffusible signals.
N-acyl-homoserine lactones (AHLs): Small, diffusible signal molecules used primarily by Gram-negative bacteria to regulate collective functions.
Biofilm: A structured microbial community attached to a surface, embedded in a self-produced extracellular matrix.
Quorum sensing inhibitor (QSI): A compound that disrupts signalling pathways to prevent or attenuate coordinated bacterial behaviours.
References
- Curcumin liposomes interfere with quorum sensing system of Aeromonas sobria and in silico analysis. Scientific Reports (2017).
- Inhibition of Quorum Sensing and Biofilm Formation of Esculetin on Aeromonas Hydrophila. Frontiers in Microbiology (2021).
- Reducing Quorum Sensing-Mediated Virulence Factor Expression and Biofilm Formation in Hafnia alvei by Using the Potential Quorum Sensing Inhibitor L-Carvone. Frontiers in Microbiology (2019).
- AHLs Regulate Biofilm Formation and Swimming Motility of Hafnia alvei H4. Frontiers in Microbiology (2019).
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