Presenter(s)

Evelyn Joynt

Comments

1:15-2:30, Kennedy Union Ballroom

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Description

Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterial foodborne pathogen that can cause severe invasive infections with high mortality rates. To protect vulnerable populations from L. monocytogenes infections, there is a stringent cleaning, disinfecting, and surveillance process in place in the food facilities. However, outbreaks as well as recalls of potentially contaminated food products continue to occur regularly. L. monocytogenes can persist in the environment because of its ability to survive various harsh conditions, including low temperatures, and to form biofilms on food-contact surfaces. To eliminate L. monocytogenes, benzalkonium chloride (BC) is one of the major disinfectants used in the food industry. However, multiple studies have shown mechanisms of L. monocytogenes developing resistance to BC, potentiating the future need for higher concentrations of BC. In this study, we investigated the effects of higher BC concentrations on L. monocytogenes biofilm formation. Using the standard crystal violet staining method, we observed that at concentrations (1% or 5% [wt/vol]) that inhibit planktonic growth, biofilm formation was significantly enhanced, compared to no BC controls, regardless of oxygen availability, surface materials, and temperatures. These results suggest that higher concentrations of BC will not be an effective strategy to remove L. monocytogenes biomass from surfaces and could potentially create additional adhesion sites for other biofilm-forming bacteria in the same environment.

Publication Date

4-23-2025

Project Designation

Independent Research

Primary Advisor

Sydney Krystine Herzog, Yvonne Y. Sun

Primary Advisor's Department

Biology

Keywords

Stander Symposium, College of Arts and Sciences

Institutional Learning Goals

Scholarship; Practical Wisdom; Vocation

Benzalkonium chloride enhances Listeria monocytogenes biofilm formation under various conditions

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