The Role of Bacterial Biofilm in Antibiotic Resistance and Food Contamination.

Gedif Meseret Abebe

doi:10.1155/2020/1705814

Abstract

Biofilm is a microbial association or community attached to different biotic or abiotic surfaces or environments. These surface-attached microbial communities can be found in food, medical, industrial, and natural environments. Biofilm is a critical problem in the medical sector since it is formed on medical implants within human tissue and involved in a multitude of serious chronic infections. Food and food processing surface become an ideal environment for biofilm formation where there are sufficient nutrients for microbial growth and attachment. Therefore, biofilm formation on these surfaces, especially on food processing surface becomes a challenge in food safety and human health. Microorganisms within a biofilm are encased within a matrix of extracellular polymeric substances that can act as a barrier and recalcitrant for different hostile conditions such as sanitizers, antibiotics, and other hygienic conditions. Generally, they persist and exist in food processing environments where they become a source of cross-contamination and foodborne diseases. The other critical issue with biofilm formation is their antibiotic resistance which makes medication difficult, and they use different physical, physiological, and gene-related factors to develop their resistance mechanisms. In order to mitigate their production and develop controlling methods, it is better to understand growth requirements and mechanisms. Therefore, the aim of this review article is to provide an overview of the role of bacterial biofilms in antibiotic resistance and food contamination and emphasizes ways for controlling its production.

Highlights

Food contamination by foodborne pathogens is a serious public health concern that can cause foodborne diseases [1]
Foods can be contaminated by different microorganisms and become a vehicle for foodborne pathogens and intoxication
Food contamination has been attributed to biofilms which are microbial communities living together that can be attached to biotic and abiotic surfaces

Summary

Introduction

Food contamination by foodborne pathogens is a serious public health concern that can cause foodborne diseases [1]. Biofilm infections on implants or indwelling devices are difficult to eradicate because of their much better protection against macrophages and antibiotics, leading to severe clinical complications often with lethal outcome. It is a critical problem in the medical sector since it is formed on medical implants, within human tissue and involved in a multitude of serious chronic infections. Pathogenic microorganisms can attach to food surfaces, grow on them, and form a biofilm that causes an increase in the food safety risk [11]. Biofilm formation by microbial pathogens enables them to survive in hosts and causes chronic infections that result in persistent inflammation and tissue damage [30]. Biofilm formation by microbial pathogens enables them to survive in hosts and causes chronic infections that result in persistent inflammation and tissue damage [30]. erefore, biofilm formation on medical instruments, human tissues, and organs has an impact on human health and the economy

Stages of Biofilm Development

Biofilm and Its Impact on Food Contamination

Findings

Conclusion