Influence of temperature and deoxyribonucleases on biofilm formation by Listeria monocytogenes on abiotic surface

• Grant number: 10/12236-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: March 01, 2011
• End date: August 31, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Food Science and Technology - Food Science
• Principal Investigator: Elaine Cristina Pereira de Martinis
• Grantee: Eliane Pereira da Silva
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto (FCFRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Listeriosis is a rare and serious food-borne infection. It is caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes and primarily affects pregnant women and immunologically compromised individuals. This pathogen is recognized as a problem for the food industry because of its ability to form biofilms, structures that are resistant to cleaning and disinfection procedures. This allows the survival and persistence of these bacteria in food processessing environments, which represents a risk to consumer health. Therefore, this project aims to investigate biofilm formation by L. monocytogenes to abiotic surfaces under different temperatures and the presence of deoxyribonucleases (DNAse). Confocal laser microscopy will be used to visualize biofilms formed by L. monocytogenes with expression of green fluorescent protein and stained with DNA indicator dye, and will be used to observe the microbial community structure and locate the extracellular DNA (eDNA). Our results should help to understand the role of eDNA in the extracellular matrix polymer and possible use of DNase as part of a strategy to control biofilms. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

WINKELSTROETER, LIZZIANE KRETLI; DOS REIS TEIXEIRA, FERNANDA BARBOSA; SILVA, ELIANE PEREIRA; ALVES, VIRGINIA FARIAS; PEREIRA DE MARTINIS, ELAINE CRISTINA. Unraveling Microbial Biofilms of Importance for Food Microbiology. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY, v. 68, n. 1, SI, p. 35-46, JUL 2014. (10/12236-0, 10/10051-3)

DA SILVA, ELIANE PEREIRA; PEREIRA DE MARTINIS, ELAINE CRISTINA. Current knowledge and perspectives on biofilm formation: the case of Listeria monocytogenes. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, v. 97, n. 3, p. 957-968, FEB 2013. (10/12236-0, 11/07062-6)

WINKELSTROETER, LIZZIANE KRETLI; DOS REIS TEIXEIRA, FERNANDA BARBOSA; SILVA, ELIANE PEREIRA; ALVES, VIRGINIA FARIAS; PEREIRA DE MARTINIS, ELAINE CRISTINA. Unraveling Microbial Biofilms of Importance for Food Microbiology. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY, v. 68, n. 1, p. 12-pg., 2014-07-01. (10/12236-0, 10/10051-3)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

SILVA, Eliane Pereira da. Influence of temperature, DNA degrading enzymes and staphylococcal culture supernatant on biofilm formation by Listeria monocytogenes on abiotic surface. 2012. Master's Dissertation - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto (PCARP/BC) Ribeirão Preto.