Purification and identification of 4-allylbenzene-1,2-diol: an antilisterial and biofilm preventing compound from the leaves of <i>Piper betle</i> L. var Pachaikodi

<p>Antibiotic-resistant food-borne Listeriosis has been rising with up to 30% mortality threat in humans since several decades. Hence, discovering antilisterial from the extracts of ethnomedicinal plants may be of value as a novel antidote. In our preceding study, we reported that ethanolic extract of <i>Piper betle</i> L. var Pachaikodi leaves exhibited antibacterial activity towards <i>Listeria monocytogenes</i> MTCC 657. Consequently in the present study, the bioactive molecule responsible for anti-<i>Listeria</i> activity was purified and identified as 4-allylbenzene-1,2-diol. This identified bioactive compound may have significance while used as antimicrobials and/or food additives in food processing sector as evidenced by dual action: biofilm inhibition and pore formation on cell membrane.