Listeria monocytogenes Biofilms in Food Processing Environments

【Listeria monocytogenes is a major concern in food processing environments because it is ubiquitous and can easily contaminate food during processing. Contaminated food and the surfaces in food facilities can serve as reservoirs of L. monocytogenes, which can lead to the serious foodborne illness listeriosis in consumers. L. monocytogenes can adhere to materials commonly used in food processing equipment and form biofilms. In the biofilm mode, L. monocytogenes is significantly more resistant to disinfection or sanitizers than its planktonic counterparts. Many researchers have studied the effects of surface materials on bacterial adhesion and the formation of biofilms. Recent studies have focused on preventing the establishment of L. monocytogenes in niches in the food plant environments.】