Abstract
Plasma-activated solution has attracted more attention in the food industry due to no chemical residue and good bacteriostatic properties. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of plasma-activated hydrogen peroxide solution (PAH) on the morphophysiology of Staphylococcus aureus biofilms. PAH was prepared using dielectric-barrier-discharge plasma and incubated with S. aureus biofilms for 0–40 min. Changes in biofilm morphophysiology were evaluated with laser scanning confocal microscopy, electron microscopic images, reactive oxygen species (ROS) content, metabolic capacity, and 1% agarose gel. Results indicated that the population of S. aureus in the biofilms was reduced by 4.04-log after incubation with PAH for 30 min. The thickness and metabolic capacity of biofilms were decreased, the ROS content and DNA fragments of bacteria increased after PAH treatments. Data suggested that PAH treatments significantly destroyed the morphophysiology of S. aureus (ATCC 6538) biofilms and could be considered as a valuable anti-biofilm technology to reduce foodborne pathogens on food and/or in food facilities.
Highlights
A biofilm is tightly grouped mass of microorganisms encased in extracellular polymeric substances to provide cellular protection against host cellular and chemical responses [1]
Due to the limitations of existing non-thermal methods for the control of bacterial biofilms in food, such as high cost and negative impact on food, human, and the environment, it is of interest in exploring new non-polluting and effective anti-biofilm methods that can be used in the food industry
This study provided a theoretical basis for the effective treatment of S. aureus biofilms with PAH
Summary
A biofilm is tightly grouped mass of microorganisms encased in extracellular polymeric substances to provide cellular protection against host cellular and chemical responses [1]. The formation of bacterial biofilms is a dynamic process of repeated cycles and can be divided into four stages: initial attachment, early formation, maturation, and shedding [7]. Planktonic bacteria attach to the substrate surface through fimbria and/or flagella This process can be considered as the reversible adhesion [8,9], involving the proliferation of bacteria cells, the increase in extracellular polymers, and the interaction between bacteria and matrix turned from weak to permanent. In the early stage of biofilm formation, bacterial cells grow closely and begin to secrete a polymer matrix to the surroundings, further transforming into discrete groups of cells [10]. Small colonies aggregate into large colonies, forming a specific biofilm structure with the extracellular polymer matrix as a protective barrier. Mature biofilm cells shed and disperse into planktonic cells or form new biofilms [11]
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