Open AccessAir-Liquid Interface Biofilms of Bacillus cereus : Formation, Sporulation, and Dispersion
Author(s) -
J.G.E. Wijman,
P.P.L.A. de Leeuw,
Roy Moezelaar,
Marcel H. Zwietering,
Tjakko Abee
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
applied and environmental microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.552
H-Index - 324
eISSN - 1070-6291
pISSN - 0099-2240
DOI - 10.1128/aem.01781-06
Subject(s) - bacillus cereus , biofilm , cereus , spore , microbiology and biotechnology , strain (injury) , incubation , food science , chemistry , biology , bacteria , biochemistry , genetics , anatomy
Biofilm formation byBacillus cereus was assessed using 56 strains ofB. cereus , including the two sequenced strains, ATCC 14579 and ATCC 10987. Biofilm production in microtiter plates was found to be strongly dependent on incubation time, temperature, and medium, as well as the strain used, with some strains showing biofilm formation within 24 h and subsequent dispersion within the next 24 h. A selection of strains was used for quantitative analysis of biofilm formation on stainless steel coupons. Thick biofilms ofB. cereus developed at the air-liquid interface, while the amount of biofilm formed was much lower in submerged systems. This suggests thatB. cereus biofilms may develop particularly in industrial storage and piping systems that are partly filled during operation or where residual liquid has remained after a production cycle. Moreover, depending on the strain and culture conditions, spores constituted up to 90% of the total biofilm counts. This indicates thatB. cereus biofilms can act as a nidus for spore formation and subsequently can release their spores into food production environments.