Find in Library

Shiga toxin-producing <i>Escherichia coli</i> (STEC) and <i>Salmonella enterica</i> are important foodborne pathogens capable of forming both single- and multi-species biofilms. In this study, the mono- and dual-species biofilms were formed by STEC O113:H21 and <i>Salmonella enterica</i> serovar Choleraesuis 10708 on stainless steel in the presence of beef juice over 5 d at 22 °C. The dual-species biofilm mass was substantially (<i>p</i> < 0.05) greater than that produced by STEC O113:H21 or <i>S.</i> Choleraesuis 10708 alone. However, numbers (CFU/mL) of <i>S</i>. Choleraesuis 10708 or STEC O113:H21 cells in the dual-species biofilm were (<i>p</i> < 0.05) lower than their respective counts in single-species biofilms. In multi-species biofilms, the sensitivity of <i>S</i>. Choleraesuis 10708 to the antimicrobial peptide WK2 was reduced, but it was increased for STEC O113:H21. Visualization of the temporal and spatial development of dual-species biofilms using florescent protein labeling confirmed that WK2 reduced cell numbers within biofilms. Collectively, our results highlight the potential risk of cross-contamination by multi-species biofilms to food safety and suggest that WK2 may be developed as a novel antimicrobial or sanitizer for the control of biofilms on stainless steel.