Alicyclobacillus sp. are acidothermophilic bacteria frequently contaminating fruit based products (juices and juice concentrates). These sporulating bacteria are able to survive at elevated temperatures and highly acidic environments which causes difficulties in their removal from industrial environments. Although numerous literature data examine Alicyclobacillus sp. presence in fruit based products and methods of their elimination, there is still a limited knowledge on ability of these bacteria to adhere to abiotic surfaces. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine Alicyclobacillus sp. cells' hydrophobicity and capability of biofilm formation on a glass surface. The degree of cells hydrophobicity, according to Microbial Adhesion to Hydrocarbon (MATH) and Salt Aggregation Test (SAT), was investigated for eleven environmental isolates from natural Polish habitats, identified as Alicyclobacillus sp., and a Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris DSM 3922 reference strain. The dynamics of biofilm formation within 3-day incubation on a glass surface was evaluated and quantified by a plate count method both, for cultures with and without agitation. All of the bacterial strains tested expressed ability to colonize a glass surface and four environmental isolates were classified as fast-adherent strains. The mature biofilm structures were predominantly formed after 48 hours of incubation. Dynamic culturing conditions were observed to accelerate the biofilm formation. The majority of strains expressed a moderate hydrophobicity level both, in SAT (41.7%) and MATH-PBS (75.0%), as well as MATH-PUM (91.7%) tests. However, no correlation between hydrophobicity and cell adherence to a glass slide surface was observed.

Acidotermophilic bacteria Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris is one of the main contaminants in the fruit industry forming biofilms which are difficult to remove from the production line by conventional methods. An alternative approach aims for the use of essential oils to prevent Alicyclobacillus biofilm development. The effect of clove essential oil on A. acidoterrestris biofilms on glass and polyvinyl chloride surfaces under static and agitated culture conditions was investigated by atomic force microscopy and the plate count method. The medium-flow and the type of technical surface significantly influenced A. acidoterrestris biofilm. The PVC was colonized in a greater extent comparing to glass. Clove essential oil in 0.05% (v/v) caused 25.1–65.0% reduction of biofilms on the technical surfaces along with substantial changes in their morphology by a decrease in the biofilm: height, surface roughness, and surface area difference. The oil also induced alteration in individual bacterial cells length and visible increase of their roughness. Clove essential oil seems to release EPS from biofilm and thus induce detachment of bacteria from the surface. Due to anti-A. acidoterrestris biofilm activity, the clove oil may be used in the juice industry to hinder a development of A. acidoterrestris biofilms on production surfaces.

The inconvenient environmental conditions force microorganisms to colonize either abiotic surfaces or animal and plant tissues and, therefore, form more resistant structures – biofilms. The phenomenon of microbial adherence, opportunistic pathogens in particular, is of a great concern. Colonization of medical devices and biofilm formation on their surface, may lead to severe infections mainly in humans with impaired immune system. Although, current research consider various methods for prevention of microbial biofilms formation, still, once a biofilm is formed, its elimination is almost impossible. This study focuses on the overview of novel methods applied for eradication of mature opportunistic pathogens' biofilms. Among various techniques the following: cold plasma, electric field, ultrasounds, ozonated water treatment, phagotherapy, matrix targeting enzymes, bacteriocins, synthetic chemicals and natural origin compounds used for biofilm matrix disruption were briefly described.

Biofilms are highly organized microbial communities displaying high resistance to disinfectants and other external environmental factors. Medical equipment, such as stents and catheters, can be colonized by a variety of bacteria including opportunistic pathogens circulating in the environment and dangerous to immunocompromised patients. Application of materials resistant to biofilm formation will minimize the risk of patients' infection. Hence, the aim of this research was to determine the biofilm growth of environmental bacteria isolates on polyvinyl chloride and styrene-acronitrile copolymer surfaces. Nine strains (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Burkholderia cepacia and Serratia liquefacies) isolated from cosmetics, and a reference P. aeruginosa strain ATCC 15442, were tested. The ability and dynamics of biofilm formation on intubation catheters (30°C, up to 24 h) in bacterial growth cultures (10(7)-10(8) CFU/ml) was investigated, with subsequent sonication and quantification by agar plate count method. The results indicated that all the tested bacteria expressed a strong ability for the polymer surface adhesion, reaching 4.6 to 6.7 log CFU/cm(2) after 30 minutes. Moreover, for the majority of strains, the level of 24-hour biofilm production was from 6.67-7.61 log CFU/cm(2). This research indicates that the environmental strains circulating between the cosmetics and patients may pose a threat of biofilm formation on medical equipment surfaces, and presumably in the clinical surroundings as well.

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