Novel methods for biofilm control and removal from food processing equipment

Both spoilage and pathogenic bacteria that grow in biofilms are more resistant to both physical and chemical methods to which similar planktonic cells are sensitive. In order to improve the destruction of bacterial cells in biofilms a number of new methods have been examined. Power ultrasound refers to sonic waves in frequencies ranging from 20 to 100 kHz. Power ultrasound has been shown to be effective in the removal of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Listeria monocytogenes biofilms. Gas plasma discharge, magnetic fields and pulsed electric field have also been shown to reduce the biofilms of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus.