Prevalence of Biofilm associated Pathogenic Escherichia coli in Seafood Pre-processing factories - A potential threat to seafood safety
Prevalence of Biofilm associated Pathogenic Escherichia coli in Seafood Pre-processing factories - A potential threat to seafood safety
Date
2021
Authors
Francis, Bini
Abdulla, Mohamed Hatha
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Society of Fisheries Technologists (India)Cochin
Abstract
Microbial adhesion and biofilm formation on food
contact surfaces in the seafood industry pose major
problems and risks to human health. Escherichia coli
is a common inhabitant of the intestinal tract of
humans and animals and can be easily disseminated
in different ecosystems through the food chain and
water causing serious infection in human beings.
The present study attempted to analyse the biofilm
forming capacity of 90 E. coli strains isolated from
food contact surfaces in seafood pre-processing
plants. Quantification of biofilm formation was
done by microtiter plate assay. Among them, 20%
of the isolates were strong biofilm producers,
26.67% and 13.33% were moderate and weak
producers respectively. Biofilm production was not
observed in 40% of the isolated E. coli. All the strong
biofilm producers were exo-enzyme producers,
which is indicative of their capability in reducing
the nutritional value of food and causing spoilage.
In addition, the distribution of the genes encoding
virulence and biofilm functions in strong biofilm
forming E. coli isolates were examined. Multiplex
PCR analysis revealed the presence of shiga toxin
genes stx1 (44.44%), and stx2 (77.78%), intimin (eae,
38.89%) and enterohemolysin genes (hlyA, 66.67%).
Biofilm-associated genes, sdiA and rpoS (100%), were
most prevalent, while rcsA (55.56%) was least
prevalent in strong biofilm producing E. coli strains.
Field emission scanning electron microscopy
(FESEM) showed that strain with strongest biofilm
producing capability by in vitro methods establishedbiofilm on stainless steel, plastic and rubber. The
findings of this study revealed that food contact
surfaces in seafood pre-processing plant harbors
biofilm forming E. coli, indicating chance of contamination
of seafood with E.coli and high risk of
seafood-related illnesses in humans
Description
Keywords
Biofilm, E. coli, food contact surface, seafood safety, pathogenicity
Citation
Fishery Technology 58(4):229-238