Insights into antioxidative metabolic mechanism of the sub-lethal injured Listeria monocytogenes stressed by cold plasma active species for precise control

Antioxidative metabolome is crucial for Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) to alleviate the instant oxidative stress, resulting in the occurrence of the sub-lethal injured Lm and potential risks to environment and food safety. However, the antioxidative strategies of the metabolome beneath the sub-lethal injured Lm in resisting the instant active species remain unclear. Therefore, under the intrusion of cold plasma (CP) active species, the sub-lethal injured Lm emerged via the wrinkled membranes and the disturbed physiological functions. Antioxidative metabolic strategies in the sub-lethal injured Lm were investigated by multi-omics technology based on the activity of antioxidant enzymes. The current study demonstrated that the antioxidative metabolome (176 differential metabolites) played a pivotal role in combating the instant active species compared with the anti-oxidative regulation of 15 genes. Furthermore, antioxidative strategies of metabolome were involved in multilayer patterns: one-off consumption, rapid utilization, and up-regulation of (R)-lipoic acid. Hence, lipoic acid metabolism was activated as an emergency pathway. Besides, the iron acquisition was operated and toxic metabolites were effluxed to balance the intracellular homeostasis. In conclusion, this work provides unique insights into the antioxidative metabolic strategies in the sub-lethal injured Lm, offering a basis for the precise inactivation of the sub-lethal injured foodborne pathogens during food processing.