Adsorption of biosurfactant on solid surfaces and consequences regarding the bioadhesion of Listeria monocytogenes LO28.
OBJECTIVE
The influence of biosurfactant compounds produced by a strain of Pseudomonas fluorescens on the adhesion of Listeria monocytogenes LO28 to polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and AISI 304 stainless steel surfaces was investigated.


RESULTS
The biosurfactant was produced according to a simple, novel technique based on cultivation on nutrient agar. Adhesion studies were performed using L. monocytogenes cells cultured at 20 or 37 degrees C.


CONCLUSIONS
A substrate-dependent behaviour of the LO28 strain (larger number of cells adhering to stainless steel than to PTFE), and a significant reduction (< 90%) in microbial adhesion levels through the prior adsorption of biosurfactants on stainless steel surfaces, which can be related to a change in the electron-donor characteristics of this substratum, was demonstrated.


CONCLUSIONS
The prior adsorption of biosurfactants on solid surfaces may constitute a new and effective means of combating the implantation of pathogenic micro-organisms in food processing plants.
Meylheuc
T
T
Unité de Recherche en Bioadhésion et Hygiène des Matériaux, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, Massy, France. meylheuc@massy.inra.fr
van Oss
C J
CJ
Bellon-Fontaine
M N
MN
D000327:Adsorption; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion; D003470:Culture Media; D005511:Food Handling / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008089:Listeria monocytogenes / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D011551:Pseudomonas fluorescens / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D013193:Stainless Steel; D013499:Surface Properties; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D013696:Temperature
D003470:Culture Media; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D013193:Stainless Steel; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene