BIOFILMS IN THE FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRY

Detection, characterisation and cleaning of biofilms in the food processing environment

Water tube with biofilm
Picture: Eva M. Voglauer

Setup of a continuous biofilm model
Picture: Eva M. Voglauer

Prototype of the biofilm detector
Picture: Eva M. Voglauer

Biofilms consist of microorganisms embedded in a self-produced matrix, often adhering to a surface. The matrix, which consists mainly of water and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), such as polysaccharides, proteins and extracellular DNA, protects the microorganisms from antimicrobial substances, disinfectants and other environmental factors. In the food processing environment, biofilms are a potential source of contamination of food with spoilage agents or food pathogens. Furthermore, biofilms can hinder production processes by clogging pipes or reducing heat transfer. However, due to the protective properties of the biofilm matrix, they are very difficult to remove.

The aim of this workpackage is to understand biofilm formation in food processing plants, to test the efficiency of disinfectants and to develop a biofilm control service for companies - including real-time biofilm detectors for inline or handheld applications.

To do this, we will study biofilms at critical locations, e.g. water hoses, and investigate their composition. We will study biofilm formation in a multi-species biofilm model and investigate the impact of food pathogens, such as listeria monocytogenes, in these biofilms. We will investigate the efficiency of current detergent and disinfectant strategies using our biofilm models to find optimised biofilm intervention strategies.

Furthermore, we will establish a service for companies to investigate problematic microorganisms (individually or in microbial communities) for their ability to form biofilms, the biofilms formed for their disinfectant resistance and new surface materials and coatings for their properties with regard to biofilm formation.

Using optical sensor methods, we will generate reference data for the development of robust, easy-to-use biofilm detectors that can be used in the food environment to detect biofilms in real time at an early stage - for example in the course of cleaning control (handheld) or during ongoing production (inline), thus enabling timely intervention.

Lead Researcher:

Dr. Kathrin Kober-Rychli

Work Group Leader
Centre for Food Science and Veterinary Public Health,
University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna

Kathrin.Rychli@vetmeduni.ac.at
+43 1 25077-3510  
www.vetmeduni.ac.at