Antimicrobial Activity of Xoconostle Pears (Opuntia matudae)‎ against Escherichia coli O157 : H7 in Laboratory Medium

Abstract EN

The objective of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial activity of xoconostle pears (Opuntia matudae) against Escherichia coli O157:H7.

Xoconostle pears were sliced, blended, and centrifuged.

The supernatant was then filtered using a 0.45 μm filter to obtain direct extract.

Direct extract of xoconostle pears was tested against four strains of E.

coli O157:H7 in brain heart infusion (BHI) laboratory medium using growth over time and agar well diffusion assays.

Our results showed that direct extract of xoconostle pears had a significant (P<0.05) inhibitory effect at 4, 6, and 8% (v/v) concentrations and complete inhibitory effect at 10% (v/v) during 8 h of incubation at 37°C.

Minimum inhibitory volume (MIV) was 400 μL mL−1 (v/v) and minimum lethal volume (MLV) was 650 μL mL−1 (v/v).

The inhibitory effect of xoconostle pears found to be concentration dependent and not strain dependent.

Thus, xoconostle pears extract has the potential to inhibit the growth of E.

coli O157:H7 and could provide a natural means of controlling pathogenic contamination, thereby mitigating food safety risks.