Use of methylsulfonylmethane (msm) to modulate microbial activity

Abstract

Disclosed herein are methods of use of methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) to modulate microbial activity, such as to enhance or inhibit the activity of microorganisms. In one example, MSM (such as about 0.5% to 5% MSM) is used to enhance fermentation efficiency, such as to enhance fermentation efficiency associated with the production of beer, cider, wine, a biofuel, dairy product or any combination thereof. Also disclosed are in vitro methods for enhancing the growth of one or more probiotic microorganisms and methods of enhancing growth of a microorganism in a diagnostic test sample. Methods of inhibiting microbial activity are also disclosed. In one particular example, a method of inhibiting microbial activity includes selecting a medium that is susceptible to H1N1 influenza contamination; and contacting the medium with MSM at a concentration of about 10% to about 16% of weight by volume, thereby inhibiting H1N1 influenza microbial activity.

1 . A method of enhancing fermentation efficiency of a microorganism, the method comprising:
 contacting medium containing a microorganism capable of fermentation with methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), wherein the MSM is provided at a concentration of about 0.5% to about 5% by weight of the medium or at a concentration of about 0.5% to about 5% by weight of the moisture content of the medium, wherein the MSM increases the fermentation efficiency of the microorganism as compared to the fermentation efficiency in the absence of MSM.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein enhancing fermentation efficiency comprises an at least 50% increase in alcohol, carbon dioxide or acid production in the presence of MSM by the microorganism as compared to alcohol or acid production in the absence of MSM. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method of enhancing fermentation efficiency is for the production of beer, cider, wine, a biofuel, bread, dairy product or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein enhancing fermentation efficiency comprises an at least 50% increase in production of ethanol, methanol or a combination of thereof as compared to production of ethanol, methanol or a combination of thereof in the absence of MSM. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the microorganism is yeast and the method of enhancing fermentation is for the production of beer. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the microorganism is algae and the method of enhancing fermentation is for the production of biofuel. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein enhancing fermentation efficiency comprises an at least 50% increase in carbon dioxide production in the presence of MSM by the microorganism as compared to carbon dioxide production in the absence of MSM, the microorganism is yeast and the method of enhancing fermentation is for the production of bread. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein enhancing fermentation efficiency comprises an at least 50% increase in lactic acid production in the presence of MSM by the microorganism as compared to lactic acid production in the absence of MSM and the method of enhancing fermentation is for the production of a dairy product. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the concentration of MSM is about 0.5%. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the medium comprises a sodium chloride concentration of less than 5% of total moisture content. 
     
     
         11 . An in vitro method for enhancing the growth of one or more probiotic microorganisms, the method comprising:
 contacting one or more probiotic microorganisms with a medium capable of supporting growth of one or more probiotic microorganisms; and   providing methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) to the medium at about 0.4% to about 5% by weight of the medium or by weight of a moisture content of the medium thereby enhancing growth of the one or more microorganisms in vitro as compared to growth of the one or more microorganisms in vitro in the absence of MSM.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the concentration of MSM is about 1% to about 3% of the weight of the medium or the moisture content of the medium. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more probiotic microorganisms comprises  Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus delbrueckii, Bacillus coagulans, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Bifidobacteruim bifidum  or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the medium comprises a probiotic-containing product, such as milk, yogurt, rice yogurt, frozen yogurt, chocolate, cheese, beer, wine, vinegar, sauerkraut or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         15 . A method for enhancing growth of a microorganism in a diagnostic test sample, the method comprising:
 contacting the diagnostic test sample comprising one or more microorganisms with a medium capable of supporting growth of the one or more microorganisms;   providing (methylsulfonylmethane) MSM to the medium at a concentration of about 0.4% to about 5% by weight of the medium or by weight of a moisture content of the medium, thereby enhancing the growth of the one or more microorganisms in the diagnostic test sample as compared to growth of the one or more microorganisms in the absence of MSM.   
     
     
         16 . A method of inhibiting microbial activity, the method comprising:
 selecting a medium that is susceptible to H1N1 influenza contamination; and   contacting the medium with methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) at a concentration of about 10% to about 16% of weight by volume, thereby inhibiting H1N1 influenza microbial activity.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the medium comprises a bodily fluid, a bodily tissue, or a surface. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein contacting the medium comprises spraying or wiping the medium susceptible to microbial contamination with MSM. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the surface is a household surface, bedding, coverings, industrial equipment or surface, blood, skin or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein MSM is provided in a composition, wherein said composition is free of bleach or free alcohol or consists essentially of water. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising sterilizing the medium after adding said MSM. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said medium is free from preservatives. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the MSM inhibits the microbial activity by reducing growth rate of H1N1 influenza by at least 50% as compared to the growth rate of H1N1 influenza in the absence of MSM.