Use of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) biofilms for the control of Listeria monocytogenes in a small-scale model

The antilisterial activity in biofilms developed in a small-scale model by two LAB (lactic acid bacteria) bacteriocin producers (Lactobacillus plantarum 35d, Enterococcus casseliflavus IM 416K1) and by two non-producers (L. plantarum 396/1, Enterococcus faecalis JH2-2) was evaluated against Listeria monocytogenes NCTC 10888. The LAB biofilms showed the capability to influence the survival and the multiplication of the pathogen with differences among the strains. L. plantarum 35d displayed the highest efficacy reducing L. monocytogenes by 5.4 log in the planktonic population and by 3.9 log in the adherent population at the end of the experiment (10 days). L. plantarum 396/1 reduced L. monocytogenes by 3.8 log in the adherent cells and by 4.9 log in the planktonic cells and this outcome could be attributed to the pH reduction. The E. casseliflavus IM 416K1 biofilm caused a L. monocytogenes reduction of 3.7 log in the adherent cells and of 4.8 log in the planktonic cells and the role of the bacteriocin production seemed to be predominant as the pH values did not significantly decrease. This hypothesis is confirmed by a slight capability to influence the L. monocytogenes survival by the non-bacteriocinogenic E. faecalis JH2-2. Studies performed with L. monocytogenes in co-culture with a Pseudomonas putida strain, revealed a reduction of the antilisterial activity only for the biofilms produced by lactobacilli.