Food Safety Assurance Systems: Management of Biofilm Risk

Biofilms occur in a wide range of environments, on every surface when supplied with moisture and nutrients. The biofilms consist of microcolonies formed by multiple microbial species embedded in an extracellular matrix. Biofilms are utilized in water purification and bioremediation of hazardous substances in the environment. However, they cause inconvenience when formed on industrial surfaces. Quantification of the actual number of microbes from surfaces is challenging because detection methods for measuring microbes directly from the surface are unpractical and detachment of microbes completely without damaging the surface or the microbes is difficult due to strong microbial adherence of biofilm