Silver nanoparticles reduce the tolerance of Cronobacter sakazakii to environmental stress by inhibiting expression of related genes

Cronobacter sakazakii is a food-borne pathogen that is resistant to a variety of environmental stress conditions. It can survive in harsh environments. We studied the effects of silver nanoparticles (AgNP) on the environmental tolerance and biofilm formation of C. sakazakii. First, we determined the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of AgNP to C. sakazakii and determined the growth curve of C. sakazakii treated with different concentrations of AgNP by using the plate counting method. After determining the sub-inhibition concentrations (SIC) of AgNP on C. sakazakii, we studied the effects of AgNP on the resistance of C. sakazakii to heat, desiccation, osmotic pressure, and acid. The antibiofilm activity of AgNP was also studied. Finally, real-time quantitative PCR was used to analyze the transcription levels of 16 genes related to the environmental tolerance of C. sakazakii. The SIC of AgNP significantly reduced the survival rate of C. sakazakii under various environmental stress conditions. The results showed that AgNP at 0.625 and 1.25 μg/mL significantly inhibited the formation of C. sakazakii biofilms. The expression levels of most genes were significantly downregulated in C. sakazakii cells treated with 0.625 and 1.25 μg/mL AgNP. Therefore, AgNP may reduce the environmental tolerance of C. sakazakii by inhibiting the expression of genes related to stress tolerance. Moreover, AgNP inhibited the production of ATP in C. sakazakii cells and the formation of C. sakazakii biofilms. Our research provides a theoretical basis for the application of AgNP in food packaging, bactericidal coatings, and other fields.