Enhancement of nisin, lysozyme, and monolaurin antimicrobial activities by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and lactoferrin.

A microtiter plate assay was employed to systematically assess the interaction between ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) or lactoferrin and nisin, lysozyme, or monolaurin against strains of Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, Salmonella enteritidis, and Pseudomonas fluorescens. Low levels of EDTA acted synergistically with nisin and lysozyme against L. monocytogenes but EDTA and monolaurin interacted additively against this microorganism.

Expression of antisense acyl carrier protein-4 reduces lipid content in Arabidopsis leaf tissue.

Arabidopsis plants were transformed with acyl carrier protein (ACP)-4 in antisense conformation driven by the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter. It was hypothesized that reduction of ACP4 in leaf tissue would result in a reduction in lipid biosynthesis and, in addition, affect fatty acid composition and leaf physiology. Several transgenic lines have been generated with reduced ACP4 protein in leaf tissue.