Increasing the microbial inactivation of Staphylococcus aureus in sauces by a combination of enterocin AS-48 and 2-nitropropanol, and mild heat treatments

► Potentiation of anti-staphylococcal activity of enterocin AS-48 in sauces was investigated. ► Sublethal heat treatments and AS-48 improved inactivation of staphylococci and delayed its growth in sauces. ► The combination AS-48/2-nitro-1-propanol improved inactivation of staphylococci in sauces. ► A synergistic interaction between AS-48 and 2-nitro-1-propanol was demonstrated.