Novel silver nanoparticles loaded Cu-based metal organic framework as a promising antimicrobial material for controlling Escherichia coli O157:H7 in pork

The risk of infection following consumption of foodborne pathogens contaminated foods became a significant concern for human health and imposes great economic losses to food industry. Herein, Ag nanoparticles were integrated to Cu-based metal–organic framework (Cu-MOF) for antibacterial activity. The crystal structure, morphology and composition of the prepared composite Ag@Cu-MOF were confirmed by XRD, TG, SEM, TEM, FTIR and XPS analysis. Antibacterial assays revealed that Ag@Cu-MOF exhibited increased inhibitory activity against Escherichia coli O157:H7 in comparison to Cu-MOF. Ag@Cu-MOF treated bacterial cells displayed distinct morphological changes, a decreased ratio of Live/Dead cells, as well as a reduction of intracellular adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP). Antibiofilm studies demonstrated that Ag@Cu-MOF could dramatically inhibit biofilm formation and disrupt preformed biofilms by interfering the metabolic activity and decreasing the expression of biofilm-associated genes. Food contamination model illustrated that Ag@Cu-MOF significantly prevented the growth of E. coli O157:H7 in packed pork. This study sheds light on the potential of Ag@Cu-MOF as a promising antimicrobial material for preserving pork