Hubert Antolak
Lodz University of Technology, Poland
Title: The varied adhesive abilities of acetic acid bacteria isolated from environmental and industrial sources
Biography
Biography: Hubert Antolak
Abstract
Acetic acid bacteria (AAB) are the members of Acetobacteraceae family, widespread in nature. The bacteria colonize the environments rich in saccharides occuring as a native microflora of flowers, fruits, honey. In biotechnology, AAB are vere important group of microorganisms used in vinegar biosynthesis, biocellulose production, biocatalysis. In other hand, the bacteria are responsible for contamination of alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages coasing sensory-organoleptic changes of the product. A significant amount of products are contaminated by bacteria inhabit in a biofilm formed on the inner parts of the production line. Due to the high resistance of formed microbial structure and low efficiency of washing and disinfecting processes, the problem affects a growing number of companies. The objective of this study was to investigate adhesive abilities of acetic acid bacteria to packaging materials used in the food industry, both glass and PET (Ethylene Terephthalate). The experiments were performed with a 15 strains isolated from polish and exotic fruits and contaminated products. The analysis of adhesion to the carriers was performed by luminometry, the plate count method and microscopic observations. Biofouling during incubation had a dynamic and changeable character. The number of attached cells was significantly higher with PET surface. The highest values of RLU were obtained for Asaia lannensis strains isolated from the mineral flavoured water and grapes. Results of our study show that the less hydrophobic materials such as glass are much better for food industry. The microbial adhesion to this kind of material is less efficient with decreased probability of biofilm occurrence in production processes.