Efficacy of a Fructus mume Extract Combination with Stable Chlorine in Preventing Bacterial Contamination in Frozen Mackerel (Scomber japonicus) Fillets

ABSTRACT

A combination composed of Fructus mume extract and stable chlorine dioxide was investigated for its antibacterial activity, mechanism of action, and its application against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus in mackerel (Scomber japonicus) fillets. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values against E. coli and S. aureus ranged from 0.9–1.2 and 1.3–1.6 mg/mL for F. mume extract and 0.004–0.006 and 0.007–0.010 mg/mL for stable chlorine dioxide, respectively. We observed a mechanism of action against E. coli that involved a pore-formation role that led to cell membrane damage. In the case of S. aureus, the mechanism of action is believed to be mediated by the combination’s activity as a metabolite disrupting agent. Here, the amount of bacteria was greatly reduced in mackerel fillets treated with the combination. Moreover, the flavor and texture properties of fillets were not significantly affected by this treatment (p < 0.05). These findings suggested that the combination has promise in being used as an additive to a broader class of foodstuffs.