Characterization of the Inclusion Complexes of Isothiocyanates with γ-Cyclodextrin for Improvement of Antibacterial Activities against Staphylococcus aureus

The aim of this study was to develop inclusions formed by gamma-cyclodextrin (gamma-CD) and three isothiocyanates (ITCs), including benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC), phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC), and 3-methylthiopropyl isothiocyanate (MTPITC) to improve their controlled release for the inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). These inclusion complexes were characterized using X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared, thermogravimetry, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), providing appropriate evidence to confirm the formation of inclusion complexes. Preliminary evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of the different inclusion complexes, carried out in vitro by agar diffusion, showed that such activity lasted 5-7 days longer in gamma-CD-BITC, in comparison with gamma-CD-PEITC and gamma-CD-MTPITC. The biofilm formation was less in S. aureus treated with gamma-CD-BITC than that of BITC by using crystal violet quantification assay and SEM. The expression of virulence genes, including sarA, agr, cp5D, cp8F, clf, nuc, and spa, showed sustained downregulation in S. aureus treated with gamma-CD-BITC for 24 h by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Moreover, the growth of S. aureus in cooked chicken breast treated with gamma-CD-BITC and BITC was predicted by the Gompertz model. The lag time of gamma-CD-BITC was 1.3-2.4 times longer than that of BITC, and correlation coefficient (R-2) of the secondary models was 0.94-0.99, respectively. These results suggest that BITC has a more durable antibacterial effect against S. aureus after encapsulation by gamma-CD.