Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Effect of Commonly Used Disinfectants on Salmonella Infantis Isolates

Abstract

Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Infantis is the most prevalent serovar in broilers and broiler meat in the European Union. The aim of our study was to test the biofilm formation and antimicrobial effect of disinfectants on genetically characterized S. Infantis isolates from poultry, food, and humans. For the biofilm formation under various temperature conditions (8 °C, 20 °C, and 28 °C) and incubation times (72 h and 168 h), the crystal violet staining method was used. The evaluation of the in vitro antimicrobial effect of Ecocid^® S, ethanol, and hydrogen peroxide was determined using the broth microdilution method. The antibiofilm effect of subinhibitory concentration (1/8 MIC) of disinfectants was then tested on S. Infantis 323/19 strain that had the highest biofilm formation potential. Our results showed that the biofilm formation was strain-specific; however, it was higher at 20 °C and prolonged incubation time. Moreover, strains carrying a pESI plasmid showed higher biofilm formation potential. The antibiofilm potential of disinfectants on S. Infantis 323/19 strain at 20 °C was effective after a shorter incubation time. As shown in our study, more effective precautionary measures should be implemented to ensure biofilm prevention and removal in order to control the S. Infantis occurrence.

Keywords: Salmonella Infantis; antibiofilm; biofilm; disinfectants.

Figure 1

Biofilm formation of S. Infantis strains (n = 15) regarding presence of pESI plasmid, under various temperature conditions and incubation times: (A) 72 h and (B) 168 h; ⋆, ○ outliers; * p < 0.05.

Figure 2

Antiadhesion effect of disinfectants on S. Infantis 323/19 strain after different incubation times at 20 °C. EtOH – ethanol; H₂O₂ – hydrogen peroxide; * p < 0.05.