What is biofilm?
Biofilms are bacterial formations in extracellular polymeric matrix structure that occur spontaneously on the surface. These structures have higher vitality and resistance to disinfectants and antibiotics. Various organisms that cause foodborne diseases such as Salmonella and Campylobacter in the poultry industry have the potential to create this structure. Biomass can be formed in lines and pipes carrying water and in any process unit affecting the industry. Biofilm formation has internal and external mechanisms as well as molecular aspects. Determining some strategies, such as working with materials that have prohibitive surfaces, may prevent biofilm formation. If biofilms are formed, there are physical, chemical and biological methods that can be used to eliminate them. All findings highlight the difficulty of controlling the biofilm as a result of the survival strategies used by these organisms and the importance of contamination as it creates infections that can affect the quality of final products and human health in the poultry production chain.
Biofilm in poultry production
Salmonella and Campylobacter are microorganisms that can generally contaminate chicken flocks. Some risk factors such as poor hygiene conditions, violation of biosecurity standards, transmission from other animals in the facility can cause the infection to occur. However, microorganisms can become permanent in the biofilm formed in the facility due to environmental reasons. Although dryness can be fatal for microorganisms, minimal water availability in the farm may be sufficient for biofilm formation. Drinking water sources are more suitable for bacteria to hold. Control of biofilms formed in water systems will improve herd health and minimize antibiotic treatments. All nutritional supplements and medicines given to the water system will cause the formation of residues that will increase biofilm formation and dispersal. It is essential that water lines are clean and that good quality drinking water is provided. The popularity of water quality improvement in the European poultry industry is growing, it has become a mandatory measure in pathogens control. When microbial contamination is desired to be reduced, chlorine, chlorine dioxide, organic acids, peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide are used. However, since these chemicals are effective under appropriate pH and temperature conditions and for a limited time, these applications should be repeated periodically. Some manufacturers use the chemical control method once or twice a week, while others try to prevent pathogens from being transported by water with standard practices at the end of the production period. Studies show that biofilm is formed as a result of the accumulation of various microorganisms, sludge and planktonic cells in water lines. Ventilation systems and cooling pads are suitable areas for microorganisms to settle and form biofilms. A high level of biofilm formation in poultry production occurs when environmental humidity is high.
What makes biofilm so dangerous to public health is its exceptional resistance to antibacterial treatments and disinfection.
Resistance to antimicrobial therapy
Resistance is the ability to be unaffected by something, especially adversely. Simply put, biofilm provides a protective home that helps pathogens resist disinfection. In fact, studies have shown that bacteria in the biofilm are 1000 times more tolerant to antimicrobial therapy than their planktonic (free-floating) counterparts due to different mechanisms. EPS acts as the first line of defense against factors such as lack of water, high or low pH, or the presence of antibiotics or antimicrobials.
The multicellular structure of biofilms provides protection for cells. Understanding biofilm tolerance and sensitivity to antimicrobials depends on many factors such as the number of different microbial species in a biofilm, antimicrobial density and type, cell density or thickness, and biofilm age. Biofilm cell density and biofilm age are often strongly related.
Biofilm protects pathogens from disinfection and promotes healing and growth of organisms injured by environmental stresses and disinfectants. This means that as "stronger" organisms continue to survive, the level of resistance to antimicrobials and antibiotics increases over time. Biofilms are dynamic and sensitive to their environment, and bacterial cells can be separated from biofilms individually or in clusters. When separated into pellets, they retain the reduced susceptibility of biofilms to their characteristic antimicrobials.
Biofilm removal
The best way to protect from biofilm is to prevent it’s forming. Complete removal of the biofilm is imperative to prevent continued resistance. Bacteria can be replenished to an intact EPS structure within 48 hours. However, if the structure is completely removed, it will take around a week (168 hours) for the biofilm colony to start remodeling. Additional exposure to antimicrobials can also delay or stop the biofilm reformation process.
Go beyond biofilm with Sanithol®
Sanithol® does not just break down the biofilm structure. The EPA approved 5th Generation QAC compounds it contains destroy bacteria and fungi that can survive in the biofilm, as well as enveloped and non-enveloped viruses.
It is inevitable that a viral agent will reach the house during pressure washing and to the surrounding houses through droplets. It should be known that effective sanitation is not possible only by removing coarse dirt, it should be aimed to make the field success permanent by destroying the biofilm and the pathogenic organisms in it.