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M. E. AGLE, Thyroid Assay Technical Support, Abbott Labs., 200 Abbott Park Rd., Dept. 04-T-8, Bldg. AP 31-2, Abbott Park, IL 60064 Biofilms play an important role in food processing, sanitation, and food safety. Biofilm-producing microorganisms, which may include harmful foodborne pathogens, secrete a glue-like material that allows them to adhere to various surfaces. Such surfaces include stainless steel, plastic, and the exterior of the food item itself, as might be the case with poultry or minimally processed produce. Biofilms protect the cells that secrete them; they tend to make the cells more resistant to cleaning agents and disinfectants, thereby making removal of pathogens difficult. This talk will define biofilms, describe the steps involved in biofilm formation, and enumerate the problems associated with removing biofilms. Various examples relevant to the food industry will be presented.
Session 37, Biofilms in the food industry: Problems and solutions
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