Bacterial Quorum Sensing and Food Industry

Abstract:  Food spoilage and biofilm formation by food-related bacteria are significant problems in the food industry. Even with the application of modern-day food preservative techniques, excessive amounts of food are lost due to microbial spoilage. A number of studies have indicated that quorum sensing plays a major role in food spoilage, biofilm formation, and food-related pathogenesis. Understanding bacterial quorum-sensing signaling systems can help in controlling the growth of undesirable food-related bacteria. This review focusses on the various signaling molecules produced by Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria and the mechanism of their quorum-sensing systems, types of signaling molecules that have been detected in different food systems using biosensors, the role of signaling molecules in biofilm formation, and significance of biofilms in the food industry. As quorum-sensing signaling molecules are implicated in food spoilage, based on these molecules potential, quorum-sensing inhibitors/antagonists can be developed to be used as novel food preservatives for maintaining food integrity and enhancing food safety. Practical Application:  Bacteria use signaling molecules for inter- and intracellular communication. This phenomenon of bacterial cell-to-cell communication is known as quorum sensing. Quorum-sensing signals are implicated in bacterial pathogenicity and food spoilage. Therefore, blocking the quorum-sensing signaling molecules in food-related bacteria may possibly prevent quorum-sensing-regulated phenotypes responsible for food spoilage. Quorum-sensing inhibitors/antagonists could be used as food preservatives to enhance the shelf life and also increase food safety.