Ferroptosis for food safety: An innovative and sustainable strategy in pathogenic bacteria inactivation and antimicrobial resistance modulation

Abstract

Microbial contamination in food has long posed a significant global public health challenge. The growing antibiotic resistance of foodborne pathogens, particularly multidrug-resistant bacteria, has diminished the effectiveness of traditional antibiotic treatments and increased the public health burden. There is an urgent need for innovative strategies to control foodborne pathogenic bacteria and their resistance. Since the discovery of ferroptosis, a regulatory modality of cell death, researchers have advanced our understanding of its mechanisms. While ferroptosis is primarily observed in eukaryotic cells, some studies indicate that microbial cells also undergo a similar process. This ferroptosis-like death depends on the Fenton reaction and is triggered by iron overload, leading to excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation. However, current knowledge on ferroptosis-mediated control of foodborne pathogenic bacteria and antimicrobial resistance remains limited. Ferroptosis is primarily triggered by excess intracellular ferrous ions (Fe²⁺) and disruptions in antioxidant systems. Several studies have utilized this feature to design antimicrobial experiments, which have been successfully applied to antimicrobial infection treatment. Additionally, ferroptosis affects antibiotic-resistant bacteria mainly by inducing direct lethal effects through iron-dependent lipid peroxidation, and disrupting iron homeostasis, which bypasses traditional resistance mechanisms and enhances antibiotic efficacy. This review aims to summarize the concepts, mechanisms, and regulatory measures of ferroptosis while discussing its application in controlling pathogenic bacteria. Further insights into the specific molecular mechanisms of ferroptosis in foodborne pathogenic bacteria are essential to enhance inactivation precision and modulate antimicrobial resistance, thereby facilitating its practical application in food safety.