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Schewanella putrefaciens adhesion and biofilm formation on food processing surfaces.

Author(s) : BAGGE D., HJELM M., JOHANSEN C., et al.

Type of article: Article

Summary

Laboratory model systems were developed for studying Schewanella putrefaciens adhesion and biofilm formation under batch and flow conditions. S. putrefaciens plays a major role in food spoilage and may cause microbially induced corrosion on steel surfaces. S. putrefaciens bacteria adhered readily to stainless steel surfaces. Maximum numbers of adherent bacteria per square centimeter were reached in 8 h at 25 °C and reflected the cell density in suspension. Numbers of adhering bacteria from a suspension containing 100 000 000 CFU/ml were much lower in a laminar flow system than in a batch system and maximum numbers were reached after 24 h. When nutrients were supplied, S. putrefaciens grew in biofilms with layers of bacteria. The rate of biofilm formation and the thickness of the film were not dependent on the availability of carbohydrate or on iron starvation. The number of S. putrefaciens bacteria on the surface was partly influenced by the presence of other bacteria (Pseudomonas fluorescens) which reduced the numbers of S. putrefaciens bacteria. Numbers of bacteria on the surface must be quantified to evaluate the influence of environmental factors on adhesion and biofilm formation. A combination of fluorescence microscopy, ultrasonic removal of bacteria from surfaces, and indirect conductometry were used and found sufficient to quantify bacteria.

Details

  • Original title: Schewanella putrefaciens adhesion and biofilm formation on food processing surfaces.
  • Record ID : 2002-1361
  • Languages: English
  • Source: Appl. environ. Microbiol. - vol. 67 - n. 5
  • Publication date: 2001/05

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