Cheap extraction of antibacterial compounds of berry pomace and their mode of action against the pathogen Campylobacter jejuni

This study was designed to determine an economically feasible method of extracting bioactive components from blueberry and blackberry pomaces and to evaluate their effect on Campylobacter jejuni growth and pathogenicity. Our results indicated that blackberry and blueberry pomace extracts significantly reduced the growth of C. jejuni and altered the physicochemical properties such as cell surface hydrophobicity and auto-aggregation of this bacterial pathogen. Swimming and swarming motility were significantly reduced due to exposure to berry pomace extracts. We also found that the pomace extracts influenced the expression of the C. jejuni virulence genes and their interactions with host cultured (INT-407 and DF1) cells. These results suggest that berry pomace extracts used as feed additives or water supplements may reduce the colonization level of C. jejuni in poultry and, as a natural and organic preservative, could control the growth of enteric pathogens in meat and meat products.