Antibacterial activity and mechanism of action of ε-poly-l-lysine.

Highlights: [•] Antibacterial activity and mechanism of ε-PL against E. coli O157:H7 was investigated. [•] Critical inhibitory factors toward the growth of E. coli O157:H7 by ε-PL was analyzed. [•] Cell membrane integrity and cell morphology of E. coli O157:H7 was affected by ε-PL. [•] A positive correlation between reactive oxygen species levels and ε-PL concentration in E. coli O157:H7 cells. [•] ε-PL induced the expression of different genes related to oxidative/redox stress, SOS response, virulence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]