Maple compounds prevent biofilm formation in via sortase inhibition.

The Pss exopolysaccharide (EPS) enhances the ability of the foodborne pathogen to colonize and persist on surfaces of fresh fruits and vegetables. Eradicating listeria within EPS-rich biofilms is challenging due to their increased tolerance to disinfectants, desiccation, and other stressors. Recently, we discovered that extracts of maple wood, including maple sap, are a potent source of antibiofilm agents.

Lignan-containing maple products inhibit biofilms on fresh produce.

Major listeriosis outbreaks have been associated with fresh produce contaminated with . Strains that synthesize the Pss exopolysaccharide (EPS) have an estimated 10 to 10-fold advantage over nonsynthesizing strains in causing listeriosis. They more readily attach to the surfaces of fruit and vegetables forming EPS-biofilms that better withstand stresses associated with produce storage and consumption.

The exopolysaccharide significantly enhances colonization and survival on fresh produce.

Fresh produce contaminated with has caused major listeriosis outbreaks in the last decades. Our knowledge about components of the listerial biofilms formed on fresh produce and their roles in causing foodborne illness remains incomplete. Here, we investigated, for the first time, the role of the listerial Pss exopolysaccharide (EPS) in plant surface colonization and stress tolerance.

CodY-Mediated c-di-GMP-Dependent Inhibition of Mammalian Cell Invasion in Listeria monocytogenes.

Elevated levels of the second messenger c-di-GMP suppress virulence in diverse pathogenic bacteria, yet mechanisms are poorly characterized. In the foodborne pathogen , high c-di-GMP levels inhibit mammalian cell invasion. Here, we show that invasion is impaired because of the decreased expression levels of internalin genes whose products are involved in invasion.