Biofilm formation and genomic features of Listeria monocytogenes strains isolated from meat and dairy industries located in Piedmont (Italy)

Abstract

Listeria monocytogenes is considered a major challenge for the food industry as it can persist for long periods in food processing plants by forming biofilms. The aims of this study were: i) to assess the biofilm producing ability of 57 Listeria monocytogenes isolates previously subjected to whole-genome sequencing (WGS); ii) to compare the levels of biofilm formation with the presence or absence of biofilm associated genes. To determine the presence or absence of a known set of biofilm associated genes, a comparative genomic analysis was performed on each strain. Among Listeria monocytogenes isolates, 58 %, 38.5 % and 3.5 % exhibited weak, moderate or strong biofilm production, respectively. No difference in biofilm production was observed between food and environmental isolates. The percentage of Listeria monocytogenes strains isolated from meat products (57 %) classified as moderate or strong biofilm producers was higher than the percentage obtained for strains isolated from dairy products (28 %). The presence of the Stress Survival Islet 1, the arsD stress gene and the truncated inlA protein was significantly associated with increased levels of biofilm. Combining biofilm phenotype with molecular and genotyping data may provide the opportunity to better understand the relationship between genes linked to biofilm formation in Listeria monocytogenes.

Keywords: Biofilm; Listeria monocytogenes; Stress survival islet 1; Whole-genome sequencing (WGS); arsD stress gene; inlA protein.