Biofilm applications of bacteriophages

Abstract

Industrial settings, the food processing industry in particular, have strict sanitation procedures to minimize food product contamination and guarantee that their products are safe to be consumed. Sanitation procedures are routinely used, yet still pathogens are recovered from foods and processing surfaces that may eventually cause foodborne illnesses. Microorganisms have a natural tendency to attach to surfaces such as food contact surfaces, foods of animal and plant origin, and tubing and equipment, among others and start forming biofilms, that is, cells are found embedded within a matrix of extracellular polymeric substances. In this chapter we review fundamental aspects involved in cell adhesion and consequent biofilm formation in food industrial settings and their control and prevention using bacteriophages. The challenges involved in the use of bacteriophages for these applications will also be covered herein.