<i>Listeria Monocytogenes</i> Biofilm Removal Using Different Commercial Cleaning Agents

oleh: Annette Fagerlund, Even Heir, Trond Møretrø, Solveig Langsrud

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: MDPI AG 2020-02-01

Deskripsi

Effective cleaning and disinfection (C&amp;D) is pivotal for the control of <i>Listeria monocytogenes</i> in food processing environments. Bacteria in biofilms are protected from biocidal action, and effective strategies for the prevention and removal of biofilms are needed. In this study, different C&amp;D biofilm control strategies on pre-formed <i>L. monocytogenes</i> biofilms on a conveyor belt material were evaluated and compared to the effect of a conventional chlorinated, alkaline cleaner (agent A). Bacterial reductions up to 1.8 log were obtained in biofilms exposed to daily C&amp;D cycles with normal user concentrations of alkaline, acidic, or enzymatic cleaning agents, followed by disinfection using peracetic acid. No significant differences in bactericidal effects between the treatments were observed. Seven-day-old biofilms were more tolerant to C&amp;D than four-day-old biofilms. Attempts to optimize biofilm eradication protocols for four alkaline, two acidic, and one enzymatic cleaning agent, in accordance with the manufacturers&#8217; recommendations, were evaluated. Increased concentrations, the number of subsequent treatments, the exposure times, and the temperatures of the C&amp;D agents provided between 4.0 and &gt;5.5 log reductions in colony forming units (CFU) for seven-day-old <i>L. monocytogenes</i> biofilms. Enhanced protocols of conventional and enzymatic C&amp;D protocols have the potential for improved biofilm control, although further optimizations and evaluations are needed.