The effect of initial sonication on disinfectant efficacy against Listeria monocytogenes biofilm
, 1, 2, 1
Abstract
Background: Listeria monocytogenes is a Gram-positive, foodborne pathogen. Biofilms formed by this
bacterium are a serious problem in the food industry. Bacteria in biofilms are much more resistant to cleaning
and disinfection agents posing a risk of food recontamination. The aim of this study was the assessment
of the influence of initial sonication on disinfectant efficacy, based on QAC, against L. monocytogenes
biofilm on the stainless steel.
Methods: The biofilm formed on the stainless steel by the reference strain L. monocytogenes ATCC 19111
was sonicated for 1 and 5 minutes (500W/ 20kHz/ 100% amplitude). Then disinfection with quaternary
ammonium compounds (0.5% working solution) was applied for 1 and 5 minutes and the number of
bacteria recovered from the biofilm was assessed.
Results: It was found that disinfection was more efficient than sonication (p ≤ 0.05). However, the combination
of sonication and disinfection significantly improved biofilm eradication compared to the use of
one of these methods separately (p ≤ 0.05). The greatest reduction of bacteria number was achieved after
5 minutes of sonication combined with 5 minutes of disinfection (6.42 log CFU × cm-2), whereas the lowest
reduction was observed after 1 minute-sonication (2.03 log CFU × cm-2).
Conclusions: Combination of sonication and disinfection based on quaternary ammonium compounds is
an effective method allowing biofilm eradication from the food production surfaces.
Keywords: Listeria monocytogenesbiofilmsonicationdisinfectantsquaternary ammonium compounds
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