Quorum sensing is a signaling mechanism through which bacteria modulate a number 
of cellular functions (genes), including sporulation, biofilm formation, 
bacteriocin production, virulence responses, as well as others. Quorum sensing 
is a mechanism of cell-to-cell communication and is mediated by extracellular 
chemical signals generated by the bacteria when specific cell densities are 
reached. When the concentration of the signal (and cell population) is 
sufficiently high, the target gene or genes are either activated or repressed. 
Quorum sensing increases the ability of the bacteria to have access to nutrients 
or to more favorable environmental niches and enhances bacterial defenses 
against eukaryotic hosts, competing bacteria, and environmental stresses. The 
physiological and clinical aspects of quorum sensing have received considerable 
attention and have been studied at the molecular level. Little is known, 
however, on the role of quorum sensing in food spoilage or in the growth and/or 
toxin production of pathogens present in food. A number of compounds have been 
isolated or synthesized that antagonize quorum sensors, and application of these 
antagonists may potentially be useful in inhibiting the growth or virulence 
mechanisms of bacteria in different environments, including food. It is 
important that food microbiologists have an awareness and an understanding of 
the mechanisms involved in bacterial quorum sensing, since strategies targeting 
quorum sensing may offer a means to control the growth of undesirable bacteria 
in foods.