Antimicrobial activity of reuterin in combination with different bacteriocins from lactic acid bacteria
against food-borne pathogens in milk was investigated. A strong synergistic effect of reuterin in
combination with nisin, lacticin 481 or enterocin AS-48 on Listeria monocytogenes was observed. Only
nisin increased the antimicrobial activity of reuterin against Staphylococcus aureus. Bactericidal activity of
reuterin towards Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella enterica, Yersinia enterocolitica, Aeromonas hydrophila
and Campylobacter jejuni was not enhanced significantly by the addition of any of the bacteriocins
investigated. The synergism of reuterin and nisin against L. monocytogenes and S. aureus was also found
at refrigeration temperatures, where the pathogens were completely inactivated. Refrigerated milk
treated with both natural antimicrobials would mean a feasible system to control pathogenic
contaminants.