Assessment of Salmonella spp. Attachment to Reusable Plastic Containers Based on Scanning Electron Microscopy and BAX® PCR

John Clayborn,Christopher A Baker,Jacquelyn Adams,Steven C Ricke

doi:10.5539/jfr.v4n2p166

Abstract

Reusable Plastic Containers (RPC) coupons were used to determine the ability of Salmonella spp. to adhere and form potential biofilms on commercial RPCs. Attachment of Salmonella serovars Kentucky, Newport, Enteriditis, Heidelberg, and Typhimurium was evaluated. The RPC coupons served as a platform for generating biofilms of these microorganisms. Following biofilm formation on the RPC coupons, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was performed to examine the coupons for bacterial presence. Additionally, the RPC coupons were subjected to a bacterial biofilm growth process and were subsequently sanitized using methods and sanitizing agents that are commonplace in commercial and industrial settings. Lastly, the RPC coupons were exposed to a bacterial biofilm growth process and swabbed using methods that closely mimic scrubbing actions performed during sanitation processes typically used in commercial and industrial settings. In all cases based on SEM assessment, bacteria not only attached to the RPC, but also could not be dislodged by the sanitizers or physical scrubbing that was applied.

Highlights

Foodborne Salmonella continue to be a public health problem that results in illness and represents a tremendous economic cost on an annual basis (Scallan et al, 2011; McLinden, Sargeant, Thomas, Papadopoulos, & Fazil, 2014)
Reusable Plastic Containers were used in this study to determine the ability of Salmonella spp. to adhere to and form biofilms on the RPCs being used in commercial settings
Enteritidis adhered to the RPC (Figure 3a), and an uninoculated RPC coupon was viewed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to confirm www.ccsen et.org/jfr bacterial absence (Figure 3b)

Summary

Introduction

Foodborne Salmonella continue to be a public health problem that results in illness and represents a tremendous economic cost on an annual basis (Scallan et al, 2011; McLinden, Sargeant, Thomas, Papadopoulos, & Fazil, 2014). Poultry broiler meat and eggs have long been considered primary sources of Salmonella, and continue to be a prominent reservoir (Finstad et al, 2012; Howard et al, 2012; Galiş et al, 2013; Painter et al, 2013; Ricke et al, 2013a,b). Table shell eggs and layer farms have been associated with Salmonella outbreaks (Howard et al, 2012; Martelli & Davies, 2012; Galiş et al, 2013; Ricke, Dunkley, & Durant, 2013a; Ricke, Jones, & Gast, 2013b). In a study on Thailand egg farms and markets, Utrarachkij et al, (2012) concluded that reusable egg trays used for these eggs could serve as a potential source of horizontal Salmonella transmission

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Discussion

Conclusion