Interference of sanitizers, NaCl and curing salts on Listeria monocytogenes adhesion and subsequent biofilm formation.

Abstract

Listeria monocytogenes, a well-known foodborne pathogen and the causative agent of listeriosis, has the ability to persist in food processing environments due to its high adhesion ability in different surfaces, playing an important role in the food industry. The aim of this study was to assess how the main stressing conditions, usually observed in meat processing facilities (sanitizers, NaCl, curing salts), interfere in L. monocytogenes adhesion and biofilm formation. The isolates, representatives of different L. monocytogenes lineages (n=6) were subjected to four different sanitizers (S1: quaternary ammonium; S2: peracetic acid, hydrogen peroxide and glacial acetic acid, S3: biguanide polyhexamethylene hydrochloride, S4: hydrogen peroxide) to verify adhesion ability and susceptibility based on minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). In addition, the isolates adhesion and biofilm were assessed up to 72h under different conditions: sanitizers (MIC values), curing salts and NaCl (both at 5, 7·5, 10%), at different temperatures (4, 12 and 37°C). Despite the effectiveness of sanitizers, isolates presented higher biofilm development when compared to controls in the presence of quaternary ammonium (S1, 1: 1,024) at 4°C, over the tested time (P<0·05). Furthermore, different responses were observed for the different L. monocytogenes strains tested, providing a better understanding of the persistence of this pathogen in the food processing facilities.