Anti-adherence Activity of Monomicrobial and Polymicrobial Food-Derived Enterococcus spp. Biofilms Against Pathogenic...

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Food Science
• Materials Science

Background:

• Enterococcus species are common gut bacteria and food contaminants, with some use as probiotics.
• Investigating their potential for preventing foodborne pathogen adhesion is crucial for food safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the antibacterial and anti-adhesive activities of food-origin Enterococcus biofilms.
• To assess their efficacy against foodborne pathogens (Listeria monocytogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli) on stainless steel (AISI 316 L).

Main Methods:

• Antimicrobial activity assessed via spots-agar test; co-aggregation using spectrophotometry.
• Anti-adhesive properties tested using serial dilution and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM).
• Enterococcus biofilms were cultured on AISI 316 L for 10 days.

Main Results:

• Enterococcus strains exhibited significant antimicrobial and co-aggregation abilities against tested pathogens.
• Enterococcus biofilms significantly reduced Listeria monocytogenes adhesion by up to 2.8 log CFU/cm² on AISI 316 L.
• Monocultures of Enterococcus biofilms were more effective than polymicrobial cultures in preventing pathogen adhesion.

Conclusions:

• Enterococcus spp. biofilms possess potent antibacterial and anti-adhesive characteristics.
• Monocultures of Enterococcus biofilms show promise for preventing pathogenic bacterial adhesion on stainless steel surfaces in food environments.