The Potential Role of <i>rpoS</i> and <i>ompR</i> in the Acid Resistance and Desiccation Tolerance of <i>Cronobacter malonaticus</i> Strains

In this study, the acid resistance and desiccation tolerance of 20 strains of <i>Cronobacter malonaticus</i> were explored, and their genetic variances with respect to their survival in stressful conditions were identified by genomic analysis. The strains showed significant variances in...

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Main Authors: Abdlrhman M. Alsonosi, Khaled M. Ibrahim, Bassam A. Elgamoudi, Mahmoud B. Agena, Stephen J. Forsythe
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Microbiology Research
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2036-7481/16/3/53
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author Abdlrhman M. Alsonosi
Khaled M. Ibrahim
Bassam A. Elgamoudi
Mahmoud B. Agena
Stephen J. Forsythe
author_facet Abdlrhman M. Alsonosi
Khaled M. Ibrahim
Bassam A. Elgamoudi
Mahmoud B. Agena
Stephen J. Forsythe
author_sort Abdlrhman M. Alsonosi
collection DOAJ
description In this study, the acid resistance and desiccation tolerance of 20 strains of <i>Cronobacter malonaticus</i> were explored, and their genetic variances with respect to their survival in stressful conditions were identified by genomic analysis. The strains showed significant variances in acid tolerance when exposed to simulated gastric acid (pH 3.5) for 2 h. Strain 685 demonstrated less viability, suggesting greater susceptibility. Desiccation in infant formula also yielded sub-lethally injured cells, with variable strain recovery, highlighting strain 685 as the strain with the lowest recovery. Strains were determined to contain single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the <i>ompR</i> and <i>rpoS</i> genes, suggesting loss-of-function mutations and potentially elucidating the stress sensitivity mechanism of strain 685. This study underscores the importance of genetic factors in <i>C. malonaticus</i> resilience and the necessity for developed detection methods for assessing food safety risk, especially in relation to powdered infant formulas. Our results provide important information on the pathogenic potential of <i>C. malonaticus</i> and help guide future research priorities to mitigate risks associated with foodborne pathogens.
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institution Kabale University
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publishDate 2025-02-01
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series Microbiology Research
spelling doaj-art-4c49440d69eb4b3f8fcc3eb208ccb2e62025-08-20T03:43:31ZengMDPI AGMicrobiology Research2036-74812025-02-011635310.3390/microbiolres16030053The Potential Role of <i>rpoS</i> and <i>ompR</i> in the Acid Resistance and Desiccation Tolerance of <i>Cronobacter malonaticus</i> StrainsAbdlrhman M. Alsonosi0Khaled M. Ibrahim1Bassam A. Elgamoudi2Mahmoud B. Agena3Stephen J. Forsythe4Microbiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Sebah University, Sebha P.O. Box 1000, LibyaMicrobiology Department, Libyan Biotechnology Research Center, Tripoli P.O. Box 30313, LibyaInstitute for Biomedicine and Glycomics, Griffith University, Southport 4215, AustraliaLibyan Medical Research Center, Zawia P.O. Box 20311, LibyaFoodmicrobe.com Ltd., Nottingham NG12 5GY, UKIn this study, the acid resistance and desiccation tolerance of 20 strains of <i>Cronobacter malonaticus</i> were explored, and their genetic variances with respect to their survival in stressful conditions were identified by genomic analysis. The strains showed significant variances in acid tolerance when exposed to simulated gastric acid (pH 3.5) for 2 h. Strain 685 demonstrated less viability, suggesting greater susceptibility. Desiccation in infant formula also yielded sub-lethally injured cells, with variable strain recovery, highlighting strain 685 as the strain with the lowest recovery. Strains were determined to contain single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the <i>ompR</i> and <i>rpoS</i> genes, suggesting loss-of-function mutations and potentially elucidating the stress sensitivity mechanism of strain 685. This study underscores the importance of genetic factors in <i>C. malonaticus</i> resilience and the necessity for developed detection methods for assessing food safety risk, especially in relation to powdered infant formulas. Our results provide important information on the pathogenic potential of <i>C. malonaticus</i> and help guide future research priorities to mitigate risks associated with foodborne pathogens.https://www.mdpi.com/2036-7481/16/3/53<i>Cronobacter malonaticus</i>sub-lethally injured cellsdesiccationpowdered infant formula<i>OmpR</i><i>RpoS</i>
spellingShingle Abdlrhman M. Alsonosi
Khaled M. Ibrahim
Bassam A. Elgamoudi
Mahmoud B. Agena
Stephen J. Forsythe
The Potential Role of <i>rpoS</i> and <i>ompR</i> in the Acid Resistance and Desiccation Tolerance of <i>Cronobacter malonaticus</i> Strains
Microbiology Research
<i>Cronobacter malonaticus</i>
sub-lethally injured cells
desiccation
powdered infant formula
<i>OmpR</i>
<i>RpoS</i>
title The Potential Role of <i>rpoS</i> and <i>ompR</i> in the Acid Resistance and Desiccation Tolerance of <i>Cronobacter malonaticus</i> Strains
title_full The Potential Role of <i>rpoS</i> and <i>ompR</i> in the Acid Resistance and Desiccation Tolerance of <i>Cronobacter malonaticus</i> Strains
title_fullStr The Potential Role of <i>rpoS</i> and <i>ompR</i> in the Acid Resistance and Desiccation Tolerance of <i>Cronobacter malonaticus</i> Strains
title_full_unstemmed The Potential Role of <i>rpoS</i> and <i>ompR</i> in the Acid Resistance and Desiccation Tolerance of <i>Cronobacter malonaticus</i> Strains
title_short The Potential Role of <i>rpoS</i> and <i>ompR</i> in the Acid Resistance and Desiccation Tolerance of <i>Cronobacter malonaticus</i> Strains
title_sort potential role of i rpos i and i ompr i in the acid resistance and desiccation tolerance of i cronobacter malonaticus i strains
topic <i>Cronobacter malonaticus</i>
sub-lethally injured cells
desiccation
powdered infant formula
<i>OmpR</i>
<i>RpoS</i>
url https://www.mdpi.com/2036-7481/16/3/53
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