Novel Antimicrobial Approaches in Biofilm Control in the Food Industry: Future Perspectives

A special issue of Microorganisms (ISSN 2076-2607). This special issue belongs to the section "Biofilm".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2025) | Viewed by 5391

Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Bio-Technology, Faculty of Technology, University of Novi Sad, Bulevar Cara Lazara 1, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
Interests: antimicrobial agents; microbial biofilms in clinical and industrial settings; food safety; infectious diseases

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Guest Editor
Department of Food Science and Technology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Interests: antimicrobial activity of natural compounds; quality and safety of food

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Microbial growth and biofilm formation on surfaces are of critical concern in many different environments, especially in the food industry, as they represent important permanent sources of contamination. Furthermore, this leads to reduced product shelf-life and, in turn, can potentially affect consumer's health. Insufficient cleaning and disinfection processes, microbial persistence on surfaces, and biocide resistance of microorganisms drive the search for new effective antimicrobial strategies. This Special Issue aims to provide insights into novel approaches for biofilm prevention/control in the food industry, as alternatives to current cleaning and disinfecting agents. This Special Issue covers a range of following topics: antimicrobial efficacy of peptides, biosurfactants, bacteriophages, extracellular polymeric substances, matrix-degrading enzymes, nanoparticles, plant extracts, and essential oils and their bioactive compounds. This Special Issue also elucidates their modes of action and examines the factors that influence their activity. Additionally, readers will gain insights into the application of combined treatments ( with different antimicrobial agents) that may have a synergistic effect on microbial biofilms in industrial settings, while also reducing the negative environmental impacts of conventional biocides. This Special Issue is an invaluable resource for researchers in the field of food microbiology; it provides alternative strategies for biofilm control, summarizes their main applications in the food industry, and also lists their main advantages and limitations.

Dr. Ružica Tomičić
Dr. Meta Sterniša
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • microbial growth
  • biofilm formation
  • antimicrobial strategies
  • food industry
  • combined treatments

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 834 KB  
Article
Biofilm Formation in Arcobacter butzleri and Arcobacter cryaerophilus: Phenotypic and Genotypic Characterization of Food and Environmental Isolates
by Irena Musilová, Kateřina Kozlová and David Šilha
Microorganisms 2025, 13(12), 2835; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13122835 - 13 Dec 2025
Viewed by 828
Abstract
Arcobacter butzleri and Arcobacter cryaerophilus are emerging foodborne and waterborne pathogens associated with enteritis and extraintestinal infections in humans. Their persistence in the environment and resistance to antimicrobial treatment are closely related to their ability to form biofilms, which provide protection against adverse [...] Read more.
Arcobacter butzleri and Arcobacter cryaerophilus are emerging foodborne and waterborne pathogens associated with enteritis and extraintestinal infections in humans. Their persistence in the environment and resistance to antimicrobial treatment are closely related to their ability to form biofilms, which provide protection against adverse conditions and support survival on food contact surfaces. This study evaluated both the genotypic and phenotypic aspects of biofilm formation among A. butzleri and A. cryaerophilus isolates from food and environmental sources. Six biofilm-associated genes (flaA, flaB, fliS, luxS, pta, and spoT) were detected by multiplex PCR, and biofilm production was assessed using the Christensen microtiter plate assay and Congo Red Agar (CRA) test. All A. cryaerophilus isolates carried the same gene set as A. butzleri, suggesting conserved genetic determinants of motility and Quorum sensing. However, phenotypic assays revealed interspecific variability: while most A. butzleri isolates formed strong biofilms, 70% of A. cryaerophilus strains showed moderate to strong formation despite all being CRA-negative. No direct correlation between gene presence and biofilm intensity was observed, indicating complex regulation of biofilm development. This study provides a comparative overview of biofilm formation in A. butzleri and A. cryaerophilus and highlights their adaptive potential and persistence in food-related environments. Full article
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11 pages, 884 KB  
Article
Essential Oils as a Novel Anti-Biofilm Strategy Against Salmonella Enteritidis Isolated from Chicken Meat
by Suzana Vidaković Knežević, Slobodan Knežević, Dubravka Milanov, Jelena Vranešević, Marko Pajić, Sunčica Kocić-Tanackov and Nedjeljko Karabasil
Microorganisms 2025, 13(10), 2412; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13102412 - 21 Oct 2025
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1733
Abstract
Salmonella Enteritidis is a serious foodborne threat, being the most reported Salmonella serovar in the past several years. Biofilm formation contributes significantly to its persistence and resistance in food processing environments, making it harder to eliminate using conventional disinfectants. Recently, essential oils have [...] Read more.
Salmonella Enteritidis is a serious foodborne threat, being the most reported Salmonella serovar in the past several years. Biofilm formation contributes significantly to its persistence and resistance in food processing environments, making it harder to eliminate using conventional disinfectants. Recently, essential oils have emerged as promising natural alternatives due to their antimicrobial and anti-biofilm properties. In this study, the biofilm-forming ability of Salmonella Enteritidis, isolated from chicken meat, was evaluated under various nutrient conditions and temperatures. Furthermore, the anti-biofilm activity of essential oils derived from oregano, cinnamon, rosemary, clove, and thyme was assessed against strong and moderate biofilms formed by Salmonella Enteritidis. The isolates demonstrated the capacity to form biofilms in tryptic soy broth, meat broth, and Luria–Bertani broth at 37 °C, 15 °C, and 5 °C. All selected essential oils, at their minimum bactericidal concentrations, effectively reduced preformed biofilms by between 36.98% to 74.83%. The destructive effect of essential oils on Salmonella Enteritidis bacterial cells was further confirmed through scanning electron microscopy analysis. In conclusion, the selected essential oils exhibited promising anti-biofilm potential and may serve as effective natural agents for controlling biofilm-associated contamination by Salmonella Enteritidis. Full article
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Review

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23 pages, 1175 KB  
Review
Bacteriophages and Endolysins Used in the Biocontrol of Staphylococcus aureus
by Maryoris E. Soto Lopez, Ana Margarita Otero-Herrera, Fernando Mendoza-Corvis, Jose Jorge Salgado-Behaine, Rocio López-Vergara, Ana M. Hernández-Arteaga, Derrick Cortessi, Pedro M. P. Vidigal and Omar Pérez-Sierra
Microorganisms 2025, 13(11), 2638; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13112638 - 20 Nov 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2031
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus is a major foodborne pathogen associated with contamination of dairy and meat products, posing a persistent challenge to food safety due to its biofilm formation and resistance to multiple antibiotics. In this review, we summarize recent advances in the use of [...] Read more.
Staphylococcus aureus is a major foodborne pathogen associated with contamination of dairy and meat products, posing a persistent challenge to food safety due to its biofilm formation and resistance to multiple antibiotics. In this review, we summarize recent advances in the use of bacteriophages and phage-derived endolysins as targeted biocontrol agents against S. aureus in food systems. Bacteriophages exhibit host specificity and self-replicating capacity, while endolysins provide rapid lytic activity, minimal resistance development, and effectiveness against biofilm-embedded cells. Studies demonstrate significant microbial reductions in milk, cheese, and meat matrices, although factors such as pH, salt, and fat content can influence their efficacy. The integration of these biocontrol tools into food preservation represents a sustainable and safe alternative to conventional antimicrobials. Finally, we discuss current limitations and the need for optimizing formulations, stability, and regulatory frameworks to facilitate the adoption of phage and endolysin-based products in the food industry. Full article
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