AUTHOR=Rossi Eliandra M. , Beilke Luniele , Kochhann Marília , Sarzi Diana H. , Tondo Eduardo C. 

TITLE=Biosurfactant Produced by Salmonella Enteritidis SE86 Can Increase Adherence and Resistance to Sanitizers on Lettuce Leaves (Lactuca sativa L., cichoraceae)

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Microbiology

VOLUME=7

YEAR=2016

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2016.00009

DOI=10.3389/fmicb.2016.00009

ISSN=1664-302X

ABSTRACT=<p><italic>Salmonella</italic> Enteritidis SE86 is an important foodborne pathogen in Southern Brazil and it is able to produce a biosurfactant. However, the importance of this compound for the microorganism is still unknown. This study aimed to investigate the influence of the biosurfactant produced by <italic>S</italic>. Enteritidis SE86 on adherence to slices of lettuce leaves and on resistance to sanitizers. First, lettuce leaves were inoculated with <italic>S</italic>. Enteritidis SE86 in order to determine the amount of biosurfactant produced. Subsequently, lettuce leaves were inoculated with <italic>S</italic>. Enteritidis SE86 with and without the biosurfactant, and the adherence and bacterial resistance to different sanitization methods were evaluated. <italic>S</italic>. Enteritidis SE86 produced biosurfactant after 16 h (emulsification index of 11 to 52.15 percent, <italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.05) and showed greater adherence capability and resistance to sanitization methods when the compound was present. The scanning electron microscopy demonstrated that <italic>S</italic>. Enteritidis was able to adhere, form lumps, and invade the lettuce leaves’ stomata in the presence of the biosurfactant. Results indicated that the biosurfactant produced by <italic>S</italic>. Enteritidis SE86 contributed to adherence and increased resistance to sanitizers when the microorganism was present on lettuce leaves.</p>