Biofilms form the largest activity center on the planet. Contamination, fouling and energy loss from biofilms is costing the food industry billions in world GDP, while claiming the lives of millions worldwide. Recently we had the pleasure of attending the Barcelona Biofilm Summit 2020 held online. It was extremely interesting and informative, and for those […]
Anyone working in the food processing industry will know how a biofilm left undetected and untreated can cause havoc. Outbreaks of large scale contamination start with biofilm-forming bacteria. Listeria are amongst the most enthusiastic of these biofilm formers. Listeria monocytogenes, is a foodborne pathogen responsible for the Listeriosis illness. It is able to rapidly adhere […]
Did you know that most bacteria in pipes and tanks live in biofilms and not free in the water? And, while free floating bacteria is easy to remove, biofilms are not. Unfortunately pipes and tanks make an ideal environment for pathogenic and spoilage bacteria to thrive in biofilm. This is where you may find some […]
Biofilms are nature’s way of surviving environmental stressors. In nature that’s a good thing, but in your food processing facility it’s a bad thing. Biofilms can harbour mixed-species of microorganisms, from pathogenic bacteria to spoilage bacteria, yeast and mould. So, if you’re battling persistent random spikes in your microbial counts, consider the fact that you […]
The mere mention of biofilms is enough to make any microbiologist in a food factory panic. This panic is not unfounded. The threat of biofilms growing in closed processing environments is real, and the resulting microbial outbreaks can cause untold damage in the food, beverage and medical industries. Why are biofilms in pipelines and machinery […]
Is your CIP or water supply line clean? This 5-minute test will confirm. In a previous article (Random microbial spikes? You may have a biofilm) we discussed the need for finding and eliminating biofilms on open surfaces. But, what if they are not on the surface? What if they are creeping into your closed systems […]
Why do we find biofilms so fascinating? Is it because, without the presence of a scheming mind, they can still transform their community into an impenetrable fortress while coordinating defences and attacks? It is natural survival at its best. You may have felt a biofilm in a riverbed as the slimy layer on a stone. […]
The presence of biofilms on open surfaces in the food and pharmaceutical industries is a major risk factor when it comes to hygiene and safety, and most companies are unaware of their presence. How does BioFinder find biofilms? BioFinder is an innovative tool developed by scientists, that generates white foam when in contact with catalase […]
Innogiene exhibited its range of innovative hygiene technologies at the Red Meat Abattoir Association annual conference at Spier in Stellenbosch, South Africa. Biofilms were once again a hot topic at the conference and delegates were pleasantly surprised to discover Biofinder, for the rapid detection of biofilms, on display. Attendees presented appetite for finding new ways […]
The presence of Biofilms is characterised by frequent and unexplained spikes in TVCs, where these have released microorganisms into the environment. This can also follow closely on a ‘deep clean’ either where mechanical action has disturbed the surface of the biofilm and released infection, or where the deep clean has reduced the normal micro flora: […]
