Decontamination of seeds destined for edible sprout production from Listeria by using chitosan coating with synergetic lysozyme-nisin mixture

Abstract This study aimed at decontamination of seeds destined for edible sprout production from Listeria using chitosan (CS) coatings incorporated with synergetic lysozyme-nisin (LYS-NIS) mixtures. Low molecular weight (LMW) CS coating showed the highest potency against Listeria innocua, followed by medium molecular weight (MMW) and high molecular weight (HMW) CSs. The LMW CS film with LYS-NIS also caused almost 1.5-fold greater log reduction (∼5 log) in initial L. innocua load of broth culture than MMW and HMW CS films with LYS-NIS within 6 days. Moreover, LMW CS coating with LYS-NIS reduced the initial Listeria loads of inoculated mung beans, lentils, and wheats by 3.3, 3.4 and 4.1 log, respectively. Antimicrobial coating did not affect seed germination rates considerably. The LYS-NIS addition increased yellowness and opacity of films, and caused limited changes in their mechanical and morphological properties. LMW CS coating with LYS-NIS reduces risk of listeriosis from sprouted seeds.