ARS | Publication request: Bactericidal activity of the food color additive Phloxine B against Staphylococcus aureus and other food borne microbial pathogens

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: May 20, 2008
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: The spread of antibiotic resistance among Staphylococcus aureus strains requires the development of new anti S. aureus agents. The objective of this study was evaluating the antimicrobial activity of the food color additive Phloxine B against S. aureus and other food microbial pathogens. Our result shows that the drug and food color additive Phloxine B has bactericidal activity against S. aureus as well as other Gram-positive bacteria even when applied at concentration 1000 times less than what is approved for human consumption in the U.S. The viability of Gram-positive bacteria was reduced by 99.99% in 40 min, while there was no effect on Gram-negative bacteria. Effective use of this agent against Gram-negative bacteria is possible combination with agents that increase Gram-negative bacteria membrane-permeability.