Antimicrobial efficacy of Bifidobacterium longum FB1-4 cell-free supernatant against MRSA: insights into mechanisms and food matrix application

Abstract

This study unveils a novel, multi-targeted strategy against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) using the cell-free supernatant (CFS) of Bifidobacterium longum FB1-4. Integrating multi-omics analyses, we systematically demonstrate that FB1-4 CFS acts synergistically to disrupt MRSA’s antibiotic tolerance, biofilm formation, virulence (via the SaeR/S system), and core metabolism. This multifaceted mechanism circumvents the resistance risk of single-target antibiotics. FB1-4 CFS also shows significant efficacy in both food matrices and an in vivo model, highlighting its dual potential as a natural food preservative and a therapeutic candidate to combat drug-resistant infections.