Cellular hydrophobicity of Listeria monocytogenes involves initial attachment and biofilm formation on the surface of polyvinyl chloride.
OBJECTIVE
To clarify the cellular properties of Listeria monocytogenes involved in adhesion to and biofilm formation on polyvinyl chloride, a widely used material in the food manufacturing process.


RESULTS
A significant correlation between the ability of initial adherence to and biofilm formation on PVC was observed for 24 L. monocytogenes strains (Spearman rank-correlation coefficient, r(s) = 0.89). The swimming motility assay revealed no relationship between initial adherence and motility of L. monocytogenes. The microbial adhesion to solvent assay revealed an interaction of L. monocytogenes cells with nonpolar solvents, and a significant correlation was also observed between the degree of interaction with nonpolar solvents and initial adherence to PVC (r(s) = 0.87 and r(s) = 0.84, between initial adherence and affinities to decane and hexadecane, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Results indicate that cellular hydrophobicity of L. monocytogenes is an important property involved in the initial adherence to and biofilm formation on PVC.


CONCLUSIONS
This study clarified the factors involved in the adherence to and biofilm formation ability of L. monocytogenes strains with PVC.
Takahashi
H
H
Department of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Marine Science, Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, Tokyo, Japan.
Suda
T
T
Tanaka
Y
Y
Kimura
B
B
D001422:Bacterial Adhesion; D018441:Biofilms; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D008089:Listeria monocytogenes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology*; D011143:Polyvinyl Chloride / Q000737:chemistry*
D011143:Polyvinyl Chloride