TY - JOUR
T1 - Evaluation of methods to assess the biofilm-forming ability of listeria monocytogenes
AU - Lourenço, António
AU - Rego, Francisco
AU - Brito, Luisa
AU - Frank, Joseph F.
PY - 2012/8
Y1 - 2012/8
N2 - The contamination of ready-to-eat products with Listeria monocytogenes has been related to the presence of biofilms in production lines, as biofilms protect cells from chemical sanitizers. The ability of L. monocytogenes to produce biofilms is often evaluated using in vitro methodologies. This work aims to compare the most frequently used methodologies, including highthroughput screening methods based on microplates (crystal violet and the Calgary Biofilm Device) and methods based on CFU enumeration and microscopy after growth on stainless steel. Thirty isolates with diverse origins and genetic characteristics were evaluated. No (or low) correlations between methods were observed. The only significant correlation was found between the methods using stainless steel. No statistically significant correlation (P > 0.05) was detected among genetic lineage, serovar, and biofilm-forming ability. Because results indicate that biofilm formation is influenced by the surface material, the extrapolation of results from high-throughput methods using microplates to more industrially relevant surfaces should be undertaken with caution.
AB - The contamination of ready-to-eat products with Listeria monocytogenes has been related to the presence of biofilms in production lines, as biofilms protect cells from chemical sanitizers. The ability of L. monocytogenes to produce biofilms is often evaluated using in vitro methodologies. This work aims to compare the most frequently used methodologies, including highthroughput screening methods based on microplates (crystal violet and the Calgary Biofilm Device) and methods based on CFU enumeration and microscopy after growth on stainless steel. Thirty isolates with diverse origins and genetic characteristics were evaluated. No (or low) correlations between methods were observed. The only significant correlation was found between the methods using stainless steel. No statistically significant correlation (P > 0.05) was detected among genetic lineage, serovar, and biofilm-forming ability. Because results indicate that biofilm formation is influenced by the surface material, the extrapolation of results from high-throughput methods using microplates to more industrially relevant surfaces should be undertaken with caution.
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U2 - 10.4315/0362-028X.JFP-11-464
DO - 10.4315/0362-028X.JFP-11-464
M3 - Article
C2 - 22856564
AN - SCOPUS:84864494859
SN - 0362-028X
VL - 75
SP - 1411
EP - 1417
JO - Journal of food protection
JF - Journal of food protection
IS - 8
ER -