The effects of disinfectant foam on microbial biofilms

This investigation examined the effects of common aqueous biocides and disinfectant foams derived from them on Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms. Biofilms were grown on stainless steel coupons under standardised conditions in a reactor supplemented with low concentrations of organic matter to simulate conditions prevalent in industrial systems. Five-day-old biofilms formed under ambient conditions with continuous agitation demonstrated a low coefficient of variation (5.809%) amongst viable biofilm bacteria from independent trials. Scanning electron microscopy revealed biofilms on coupons with viable biofilm bacteria observed by confocal microscopy. An aqueous solution of a common foaming agent amine oxide (AO) produced negligible effects on bacterial viability in biofilms (p>0.05). However, significant biofilm inactivation was noted with aqueous solutions of common biocides (peracetic acid, sodium hypochlorite, sodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) with or without AO (p<0.05). Aereation of a mixture of AO with each of these common biocides resulted in significant reductions in the viability of biofilm bacteria (p<0.05). In contrast, limited effects were noted by foam devoid of biocides. A relationship between microbial inactivation and the concentration of biocide in foam (ranging from 0.1-0.5%) and exposure period were noted (p<0.05). Although, lower numbers of viable biofilm bacteria were recovered after treatment with the disinfectant foam than by the cognate aqueous biocide, significant differences between these treatments were not evident (p>0.05). In summary, the studies revealed significant biofilm inactivation by biocidal foam prepared with common biocides. Validation of foam disinfectants in controlled trials at manufacturing sites may facilitate developments for clean in place applications. Advantages of foam disinfectants include reductions in the volumes of biocides for industrial disinfection and in their disposal after use.