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Journals / Trakya University Journal of Natural Sciences / 2026 / Volume: 27 Issue: 1

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

Dilvin İpek(CANAKKALE ONSEKIZ MART UNIVERSITY, EZİNE VOCATIONAL SCHOOL, DEPARTMENT OF FOOD PROCESSING, FOOD QUALITY CONTROL AND ANALYSIS PR. (EVENING EDUCATION))0000-0003-2946-5437
Nükhet Nilüfer Demirel Zorba(CANAKKALE ONSEKIZ MART UNIVERSITY, FACULTY OF ENGINEERING, DEPARTMENT OF FOOD ENGINEERING)0000-0001-6851-6474
Ji Hyang Kweon(Konkuk University, Department of Environmental Engineering)0000-0002-4906-9792
Harshad Lade(MIT Art, Design and Technology University, MIT School of Bioengineering Sciences & Research (MITBIO))0000-0002-9809-2921
Pages
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Publication Date
2026-07-09
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

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

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:Background: Biofilm formation represents a major challenge for food safety, contributing to persistent contamination, compromised process hygiene, and increased antimicrobial resistance.
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Key Findings & Data:Because quorum sensing (QS) regulates biofilm development, interference with QS signaling (quorum quenching [QQ]) has emerged as a promising strategy for biofilm control.
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Conclusion & Impact:Conclusion: These findings highlight the potential of natural extracts as eco-friendly alternatives to chemical disinfectants in food processing environments.
🔬Design:Research Article
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Antibiofilm · antimicrobial · dairy processing

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.

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Cite This Article

İpek, D., Zorba, N. N. D., 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, Volume: 27 Issue: 1. https://doi.org/10.23902/trkjnat.202598

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