J Appl Microbiol. 2023 Jun 5:lxad117. doi: 10.1093/jambio/lxad117. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
AIMS: The aim of this study was to determine the biofilm-forming ability of a strain belonging to Ps. fluorescens group isolated from the dairy environment under food-relevant conditions. Moreover, the effects of commercial sanitizers against preformed biofilms were assessed both in terms of viability and structure.
METHODS AND RESULTS: The biofilms were formed on polystyrene, stainless steel (SS), and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) in a wide range of temperatures (4-25°C) and were subjected to the action of ten different sanitizers. The strain under study showed to be a strong biofilm-former regardless of temperature, particularly on polystyrene. The biofilms were mostly sensitive to chlorine and peracetic acid-based sanitizers. For some sanitizers (e.g. amphoteric), a relationship was observed between the material and the tolerance, while the temperature was not statistically significant. The formation of long-term biofilms on SS was also structurally affected by the temperature, showing microcolonies more irregular in shape and with lower cellularity at 4°C compared to 15°C, where the biofilm was more compact and with a high presence of EPS.
CONCLUSIONS: The strain belonging to Ps. fluorescens group was shown to quickly adhere and form mature biofilm at temperatures and on materials relevant to the food sector, however, biofilms formed under different conditions were differently tolerant to disinfectants.
PMID:37279902 | DOI:10.1093/jambio/lxad117
