Design and Application of a 3D-Printed Measuring Device to Study Impacts of Environmental Factors on Listeria monocytogenes Catalase Activity

Design and Application of a 3D-Printed Measuring Device to Study Impacts of Environmental Factors on Listeria monocytogenes Catalase Activity

Presenter(s)

John Rosch

Comments

1:15-2:30, Kennedy Union Ballroom

Description

Catalase is an enzyme found in the foodborne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes to help combat reactive oxygen species, particularly hydrogen peroxide. Appropriate production of catalase can help protect Listeria monocytogenes both outside the host against various environmental stresses and inside the host against immune defenses. In this study, I designed a 3D-printed device to measure catalase activity (patent to be filed) and investigated how different environmental signals regulate catalase activity in Listeria monocytogenes. I found that anaerobically grown L. monocytogenes had no catalase activity even after transitioning to aerobic conditions for long periods of time. Propionate, a common food additive, and an intestinal metabolite, exhibited an inhibitory effect on catalase activity. Moreover, catalase activity was also observed in biofilms formed in the presence but not in the absence of benzalkonium chloride (1%), a common disinfectant. These results introduced a new tool for catalase activity measurement as well as highlighting the various factors that can influence L. monocytogenes catalase activity.

Publication Date

4-23-2025

Project Designation

Course Project - BIO 421 04

Primary Advisor

Yvonne Y. Sun

Primary Advisor's Department

Biology

Keywords

Stander Symposium, College of Arts and Sciences

Institutional Learning Goals

Practical Wisdom; Vocation; Scholarship

Design and Application of a 3D-Printed Measuring Device to Study Impacts of Environmental Factors on Listeria monocytogenes Catalase Activity

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