Inhibitory effect of clove extract on vero-toxin production by enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7

Abstract

The effect of clove extract, a well-known natural medicine, on the production of vero-toxins by enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) O157:H7 was investigated. The production of EHEC vero-toxins was inhibited by the extract of clove (0.5%, w/v). The inhibitory effect against EHEC was obtained at a concentration below the minimal inhibitory concentration of the clove extract (>1.0 %, w/v), indicating that this extract seems to act on the vero-toxin-producing cells of EHEC before vero-toxins are produced.