When a certain protein pathway was disrupted in the assembly of extracellular matrices, normal Bacillus cereus biofilm formation was impaired, but compensatory responses enabled a level of matrix plasticity that could help explain why biofilms are difficult to eradicate.
This episode of Food Safety Five discusses new research on the use of cold plasma technologies for biofilm inactivation and reducing allergenic risk, deriving more accurate “sell by” dates based on microbial changes on meat, and ultra-processed food nutrition and purchasing realities.
Researchers achieved microbial reductions of 1.56–1.64 log CFU/cm2 by applying plasma-activated water and water–chemical solutions to dual-species E. coli biofilms on stainless steel, suggesting the technology’s potential as a sustainable, safe alternative to traditional sanitizer treatments.
Phage W5, isolated from poultry and livestock slaughterhouse effluent, significantly inhibited the growth of Salmonella in milk, pork, and eggs, and effectively prevented and eradicated biofilms on food-contact surfaces. The absence of virulence and antibiotic resistance genes supported its suitability as a food-grade biocontrol agent.
The Center for Produce Safety-funded project aims to generate practical guidance for produce growers, including improved sampling approaches to determine whether groundwater is influenced by surface water, and immediately actionable recommendations for mitigating microbial contamination and biofilms in irrigation systems.
The Achyut Adhikari Research Group is conducting several projects focused on preventive, FSMA-aligned strategies to reduce microbiological risks during pre-harvest and processing of produce, including hydroponic production, manure fertilizer treatment, food-contact surface sanitation, and antimicrobial packaging development.
Researchers found that the presence of nanoplastic particles can increase the expression of virulence and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes in Salmonella,and can also encourage biofilm formation.
In an analysis of domestic refrigerator swabs, researchers discovered complex microbial communities harboring foodborne pathogens and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The findings also suggested that regular cleaning is possibly more important than temperature control in managing these communities.
A recent study examined the efficacy of three commonly used sanitizers—chlorine, QACs, and UV-C light—against Listeria monocytogenes biofilms on stainless steel, PET, and silicone rubber surfaces, including organic matter, representing produce packing environments.
Drawing upon insights shared by UK food safety professionals, a report produced by the Food Safety Research Network (FSRN)/Quadram Institute identifies emerging defenses against microbiological risks in food production environments, including science-backed approaches, advanced technologies, and culture-based initiatives.
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