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Characterization of thermophilic bacilli from a milk powder processing plant
Author(s) -
Burgess S.A.,
Flint S.H.,
Lindsay D.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of applied microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.889
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1365-2672
pISSN - 1364-5072
DOI - 10.1111/jam.12366
Subject(s) - geobacillus stearothermophilus , bacilli , thermophile , biofilm , spore , endospore , biology , food science , microbiology and biotechnology , bacillus (shape) , bacteria , microorganism , chemistry , genetics
Aims To determine whether strains of G eobacillus stearothermophilus isolated from a milk powder manufacturing plant were different in their ability to form biofilms and produce spores. In addition, this study evaluated whether there were other physiological characteristics that could differentiate these strains. Methods and Results Ten G . stearothermophilus strains and one A noxybacillus species were isolated from a milk powder manufacturing plant. A microtitre plate assay was used to show that these strains differed in their abilities to form biofilms and produce spores. Scanning electron microscopy showed differences in the biofilm morphologies of three of the G . stearothermophilus strains. Biochemical profiling, matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry and fatty acid profiling further showed that they had distinct characteristics. Conclusions These G . stearothermophilus strains, isolated from the same environment, showed differences in their ability to form biofilms and produce endospores. Based on the multiple characterization methods used in this study, these strains of G . stearothermophilus isolated from one manufacturing plant are diverse. Significance and Impact of the Study Differences in the ability of G . stearothermophilus to form biofilms and produce spores may influence the cleaning method used to control the growth of thermophilic bacilli in a dairy processing environment.