The antimicrobial activity of coenzyme Q against planktonic and biofilm forms of Cronobacter sakazakii.

Coenzyme Q (CoQ) has demonstrated antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and anti-angiogenic activities. Cronobacter sakazakii is an opportunistic foodborne pathogen associated with high mortality in neonates. In this study, the antimicrobial activity and possible antimicrobial mechanism of CoQ against C. sakazakii were investigated. Moreover, the inactivation effect of CoQ on C. sakazakii in biofilms was also evaluated. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of CoQ against C. sakazakii strains ranged from 0.1 to 0.2 mg/mL. Treatment caused cell membrane dysfunction, as evidenced by cell membrane hyperpolarization, decreased intracellular ATP concentration and cell membrane integrity, and changes in cellular morphology. CoQ combined with mild heat treatment (45, 50, or 55 °C) decreased the number of viable non-desiccated and desiccated C. sakazakii cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner in reconstituted infant milk. Furthermore, CoQ showed effective inactivation activity against C. sakazakii in biofilms on stainless steel, reducing the number of viable cells and damaging the structure of the biofilm. These findings suggest that CoQ has a strong inactivate effect on C. sakazakii and could be used in food production environments to effectively control C. sakazakii and reduce the number of illnesses associated with it.