Biofilms in food industries and their removal methods in food processing systems

Subject Areas : Journal of Food Safety and Processing

Leila Nateghi ¹ (Associate Professor, Department of Food Science and Industry, Faculty of Agriculture, Varamin Pishva Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran)
Amir Ahangar Bahan ² (PhD student, Department of Food Science and Industry, Faculty of Agriculture, Varamin Pishva Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran)
Atefeh Mohammad Gholi ³ (PhD student, Department of Food Science and Industry, Faculty of Agriculture, Varamin Pishva Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran)

Received: 2021-10-27 Accepted : 2022-01-04 Published : 2022-02-20

Keywords: Biofilm, Bacteria, anti-biofilm mechanisms, infectivity,

Abstract :

Biofilm is a complex microbial community enclosed in a polysaccharide or protein matrix. Biofilm can be created by microorganisms such as fungi and bacteria. Both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria have this ability. Bacterial resistance developed in the biofilm phase to antimicrobial agents is an important global issue. Bacterial biofilm is important in various aspects such as diseases related to chronic human infections, infection of foreign bodies such as catheters, animal and plant diseases, and also in food processing units due to blocking and contaminating production lines. For microorganisms, living in a biofilm has certain advantages. Microbial communities are usually very resistant to stress. Potential stress factors such as lack of water, increase or decrease in pH of the environment or the presence of toxic substances for microbes, such as antibiotics, antimicrobials or heavy metals, are included. Biofilm is formed in different places, but its formation in food processing industries usually causes damage and reduced efficiency. In addition to various benefits, [1]such as the use in cleaning heavy metal pollution and the construction of microbial fuel cells, it also has many risks. These resistant structures cause 80% of human infectious diseases, which includes a very high percentage due to their resistance and lack of definitive and quick treatment methods against these pathogenic bacteria.