Tandem mass tag-based quantitative proteomics elucidates the inactivation mechanisms of high-power pulsed microwave treatment on Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1

This study explored the effect of HPPM treatment (200 Hz for 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 min) on P. aeruginosa PAO1 inactivation using tandem mass tag-based quantitative proteomics. HPPM demonstrated marked nucleic acid and protein constituents (p < 0.05) and inhibited ATPase activity and intercellular ATP concentration time-dependently. Hence, 9 min was selected for proteomic profiling to avoid any potential thermal effect. A total of 452 proteins (309 = down-regulated; 143 = up-regulated) were identified as differentially accumulated proteins (DAPs). The DAPs were primarily related to energy production and conversion; DNA replication, transcription, and translation, cell membrane composition; amino acid (AA) transport and metabolism, and biofilm formation and quorum sensing (QS). HPPM significantly disrupted cell membrane composition, altered AA metabolism, impeded cell energy generation, and drastically inhibited biofilm formation in P. aeruginosa. This study provided insights into the underlying mechanisms of HPPM against P. aeruginosa at the proteomic level. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a key spoiler implicated in food contamination. High-power pulsed microwave (HPPM) is a potential non-thermal inactivation technology. However, the underlying mechanism to validate its efficacy remains unclear. This study provides the industry with the inactivation efficacy of HPPM against P. aeruginosa, highlighting insights into the molecular and biochemical changes after treatment and its remarkable potential to control cross-contamination in food processing, food services, and clinical environments.