Antibacterial properties of Polygonum cuspidatum roots and their major bioactive constituents

Bin Shan, Yi Zhong Cai, John D. Brooks, Harold Corke*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

150 Scopus citations

Abstract

Antibacterial activity, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of crude extract from Polygonum cuspidatum roots were assayed against five common foodborne bacteria (Bacillus cereus, Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella anatum). The crude extract exhibited potent antibacterial properties. Major bioactive compounds in P. cuspidatum roots were identified as stilbenes (e.g., piceid, resveratroloside, and resveratrol) and hydroxyanthraquinones (e.g., emodin, emodin-1-O-glucoside, and physcion) by LC-ESI-MS. Both stilbenes and hydroxyanthraquinoines greatly contributed to the antibacterial properties. Additionally, scanning electron microscopy was used to observe morphological changes of the bacteria treated with the crude extract and its major antibacterial components. Possible mechanisms of the antibacterial action were also discussed. This study suggests that the roots of P. cuspidatum and its antibacterial components may have potential for use as natural preservatives.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)530-537
Number of pages8
JournalFood Chemistry
Volume109
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Aug 2008
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Antibacterial properties
  • Foodborne pathogenic bacteria
  • Hydroxyanthraquinones
  • Phenolic compounds
  • Polygonum cuspidatum
  • Stilbenes

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