Quorum quenching and antimicrobial potential of natural compounds against foodborne biofilm-forming bacteria

Dilvin İpek; Nükhet Nilüfer Demirel Zorba; Ji Hyang Kweon; Harshad Lade

doi:10.23902/trkjnat.202598

Quorum quenching and antimicrobial potential of natural compounds against foodborne biofilm-forming bacteria

Abstract

Background: Biofilm formation represents a major challenge for food safety, contributing to persistent contamination, compromised process hygiene, and increased antimicrobial resistance. Because quorum sensing (QS) regulates biofilm development, interference with QS signaling (quorum quenching [QQ]) has emerged as a promising strategy for biofilm control.

Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the biofilm-forming capacity and QS (N-acyl homoserine lactones [AHL] and autoinducer-2 [AI-2]) activity of foodborne bacterial isolates and to assess the antimicrobial and QQ potential of selected natural products under in vitro conditions.

Methods: A total of 109 bacterial isolates from dairy processing lines were assessed for biofilm formation using a 96-well microtiter assay. QS activity was detected using indicator microorganisms for AHL and AI-2 signaling. Selected natural products (1 mg/mL) were screened for antimicrobial and QQ activity, with QS inhibition evaluated independently of growth suppression.

Results: A total of 89% of the isolates were classified as strong biofilm producers, with Bacillus and Pseudomonas species predominating. Plant-derived extracts and natural products, including Calendula officinalis, propolis, nisin, and Hypericum perforatum, exhibited measurable antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity. Propolis and C. officinalis reduced QS-associated biofilm responses independently of growth inhibition, indicating potential QQ activity.

Conclusion: These findings highlight the potential of natural extracts as eco-friendly alternatives to chemical disinfectants in food processing environments.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Scientific Research Project Commission of Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, KU Research Professor Program of Konkuk University

Project Number

FBA-2014-332, FBA-2016-908

Ethical Statement

Not required.

Thanks

We would like to thank the research team of the Water Treatment and Membrane Laboratory, Department of Environmental Engineering, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea, for their valuable cooperation during the QSI study. Special thanks are extended to Harshad Lade for his support through the KU Research Professor Program of Konkuk University.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Bacteriology

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Dilvin İpek ^*
0000-0003-2946-5437
Türkiye

Nükhet Nilüfer Demirel Zorba
0000-0001-6851-6474
Türkiye

Ji Hyang Kweon This is me
0000-0002-4906-9792
South Korea

Harshad Lade This is me
0000-0002-9809-2921
India

Publication Date

July 9, 2026

Submission Date

October 20, 2025

Acceptance Date

March 9, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 27 Number: 1

DOI

https://doi.org/10.23902/trkjnat.202598

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA39MD48SX

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

İpek, D., Demirel Zorba, N. N., Kweon, J. H., & Lade, H. (2026). Quorum quenching and antimicrobial potential of natural compounds against foodborne biofilm-forming bacteria. Trakya University Journal of Natural Sciences, 27(1), 88-95. https://doi.org/10.23902/trkjnat.202598

AMA

1.İpek D, Demirel Zorba NN, Kweon JH, Lade H. Quorum quenching and antimicrobial potential of natural compounds against foodborne biofilm-forming bacteria. Trakya Univ J Nat Sci. 2026;27(1):88-95. doi:10.23902/trkjnat.202598

Chicago

İpek, Dilvin, Nükhet Nilüfer Demirel Zorba, Ji Hyang Kweon, and Harshad Lade. 2026. “Quorum Quenching and Antimicrobial Potential of Natural Compounds Against Foodborne Biofilm-Forming Bacteria”. Trakya University Journal of Natural Sciences 27 (1): 88-95. https://doi.org/10.23902/trkjnat.202598.

EndNote

İpek D, Demirel Zorba NN, Kweon JH, Lade H (July 1, 2026) Quorum quenching and antimicrobial potential of natural compounds against foodborne biofilm-forming bacteria. Trakya University Journal of Natural Sciences 27 1 88–95.

IEEE

[1]D. İpek, N. N. Demirel Zorba, J. H. Kweon, and H. Lade, “Quorum quenching and antimicrobial potential of natural compounds against foodborne biofilm-forming bacteria”, Trakya Univ J Nat Sci, vol. 27, no. 1, pp. 88–95, July 2026, doi: 10.23902/trkjnat.202598.

ISNAD

İpek, Dilvin - Demirel Zorba, Nükhet Nilüfer - Kweon, Ji Hyang - Lade, Harshad. “Quorum Quenching and Antimicrobial Potential of Natural Compounds Against Foodborne Biofilm-Forming Bacteria”. Trakya University Journal of Natural Sciences 27/1 (July 1, 2026): 88-95. https://doi.org/10.23902/trkjnat.202598.

JAMA

1.İpek D, Demirel Zorba NN, Kweon JH, Lade H. Quorum quenching and antimicrobial potential of natural compounds against foodborne biofilm-forming bacteria. Trakya Univ J Nat Sci. 2026;27:88–95.

MLA

İpek, Dilvin, et al. “Quorum Quenching and Antimicrobial Potential of Natural Compounds Against Foodborne Biofilm-Forming Bacteria”. Trakya University Journal of Natural Sciences, vol. 27, no. 1, July 2026, pp. 88-95, doi:10.23902/trkjnat.202598.

Vancouver

1.Dilvin İpek, Nükhet Nilüfer Demirel Zorba, Ji Hyang Kweon, Harshad Lade. Quorum quenching and antimicrobial potential of natural compounds against foodborne biofilm-forming bacteria. Trakya Univ J Nat Sci. 2026 Jul. 1;27(1):88-95. doi:10.23902/trkjnat.202598