Cellular hydrophobicity of Listeria monocytogenes involves initial attachment and biofilm formation on the surface of polyvinyl chloride

• Published in: Letters in applied microbiology Vol. 50; no. 6; pp. 618 - 625
• Main Authors: Takahashi, H, Suda, T, Tanaka, Y, Kimura, B
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Oxford, UK : Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01-06-2010; Blackwell Publishing Ltd; Blackwell
• Subjects: Bacterial Adhesion; biofilm; Biofilms; Biological and medical sciences; cellular hydrophobicity; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; hydrophobic interactions; Listeria monocytogenes; Listeria monocytogenes - chemistry; Listeria monocytogenes - physiology; microbial adhesion to solvent; Microbiology; poly(vinyl chloride); polyvinyl chloride; Polyvinyl Chloride - chemistry; Applied microbiology; microbial adhesion to solvent; Hydrophobic interaction; Listeria monocytogenes; Hydrophobicity; Adhesion; hydrophobic interactions; Biofilm; Bacteria; Microorganism; Polyvinyl chloride; cellular hydrophobicity; Solvent
• ISSN: 0266-8254; 1472-765X
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1472-765x.2010.02842.x

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. 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, rs = 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 (rs = 0·87 and rs = 0·84, between initial adherence and affinities to decane and hexadecane, respectively). Results indicate that cellular hydrophobicity of L. monocytogenes is an important property involved in the initial adherence to and biofilm formation on PVC. This study clarified the factors involved in the adherence to and biofilm formation ability of L. monocytogenes strains with PVC.