Evaluation of the role of nitric oxide, essential oils and sanitizers in biofilm dispersion of Listeria monocytogenes on abiotic surface

Author(s)

Fernanda Barbosa dos Reis Teixeira

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: Ribeirão Preto.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto (PCARP/BC)
• Defense date: 2014-09-12

Examining board members

Elaine Cristina Pereira de Martinis; Carolina Patricia Aires; Marcia Nitschke; Carlos Augusto Fernandes de Oliveira; Evandro Watanabe

• Advisor: Elaine Cristina Pereira de Martinis

Abstract

Biofilms of Listeria monocytogenes are potential sources of contamination of processed foods, and may interfere in the effectiveness of cleaning and sanitizing procedures in food industry. In the present study the structures and dispersion of biofilms formed by two strains of L. monocytogenes on different abiotic surfaces, such as stainless steel, glass and polystyrene were evaluated. Different cultivation systems such as polystyrene and stainless steel 96-wells microplates, 24-wells microplates containing round stainless steel or glass slides, and 8-wells polystyrene chambers with borosilicate bottom were used. The experiments were done for 1, 4 and 8 days of incubation at 25°C. Biofilm formation was observed in 96-wells microplates of polystyrene and stainless steel by the quantification of biofilm biomass by staining with crystal violet, and also in 24-wells microplates system with circular slides of stainless steel or glass, with enumeration of adhered cells on agar plates. The structure of biofilms were observed by fluorescence microscopy (for the system of 24-wells microplates containing circular slides of stainless steel) and by confocal laser scanning microscopy (for the system of glass bottom chambers). For this, biofilms were stained with the LIVE/DEAD® bacterial viability kit, in order to differentiate viable cells (stained with Syto 9) from dead cells (stained with propidium iodide). The estimative of the number of viable cells was done by measurement of fluorescence. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of the essential oils plants of Cymbopogon citratus (lemon grass) and Zingiber officinale (ginger) and two commercial sanitizers (babassu coconut oil-based sanitizer and chlorine dioxide-based sanitizer) against L. monocytogenes were also determined. Subsequently, the antimicrobials were evaluated against L. monocytogenes biofilms formed by 4 and 8 days at 25°C on the stainless steel and glass surfaces by enumeration on agar plates of adhered cells and microscopic observations. The presence of molecules related to oxidative and nitrosative stresses in mature biofilms of two strains of L. monocytogenes formed on glass and stainless steel surfaces was also evaluated, and the possible role of exogenous nitric oxide (NO) and inhibitors of NO were studied for induction of biofilm dispersal cells and changed of genic expression levels of L. monocytogenes related to oxidative and nitrosative stress genes (Lmo0990, Lmo0807 and Lmo1485), as well as the regulation of virulence and biofilm formation gene (PrfA). The presence of reactive nitrogen intermediates (RNI) and reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI) was investigated in biofilms of L. monocytogenes formed on stainless steel and glass surfaces with 4 and 8 days-old at 25°C, using specific fluorescent dyes and microscopic views. In order to indirectly confirm the presence of nitric oxide (NO) in cultures of L. monocytogenes incubated for 4 and 8 days at 25°C, the dosage of nitrite was carried out with Griess reagent. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of a nitric oxide donor as sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and two NO inhibitors such as N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) and 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5- tetrametilimidazoline-1-oxy-3-oxide (Carboxy-potassium salt, C-PTIO), were iv evaluated for L. monocytogenes. It was also determined the effectiveness of SNP and of the two inhibitors of NO to eliminate biofilms of L. monocytogenes preformed for 4 and 8 days on stainless steel surfaces. The results of this work showed that L. monocytogenes biofilms formed on glass and on stainless steel surfaces, presented similar microscopic architectures in a \"honeycomb\" like structure, with water channels and hollows of different sizes, possibly due to cell dispersion or death. The exposure to essential oils and/or commercial sanitizers for 1h for L. monocytogenes biofilms formed for 4 and 8 days was effective in reducing the number of cells adhered on stainless steel and on glass surfaces. In biofilms of L. monocytogenes, molecules were detected related to oxidative stress such as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and superoxide radicals, as well as molecules related to nitrosative stress as nitric oxide (NO) and peroxynitrite. The addition of exogenous NO (SNP) and inhibitors of NO in the culture medium did not inhibit planktonic growth of L. monocytogenes, and exposure to SNP and to inhibitors of NO for 1 h for biofilms of L. monocytogenes preformed by 4 and 8 days did not induce cell dispersion. The addition of exogenous NO and NO removal from the culture medium by inhibitory molecules did not alter the level of expression of Lmo1485, Lmo0990, and PrfA Lmo0807 genes in cultures of 8- days-old of L. monocytogenes. The use of essential oils from plants and/or sanitizing commercial agents on pre-formed biofilms can be an effective alternative in the control of L. monocytogenes in food handling surfaces, but the best control strategy is avoid the biofilm formation by applying combined treatments in initial stages of contamination. In conclusion, L. monocytogenes formed biofilms with well defined structures that may contribute to the survival and spread of bacteria in food processing environment. Despite L. monocytogenes do not form a multilayer thick biofilms, adherent cells generally have greater resistance to antimicrobial activity compared to planktonic cells, surviving and persisting on the surface with regulatory mechanisms effective against different types of stress. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 10/10051-3 - Evaluation the role of nitric oxide, essential oils and sanitizers in the dispersion of biofilms of Listeria monocytogenes on abiotic surface
• Grantee: Fernanda Barbosa dos Reis Teixeira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate