Innovative Control of Biofilms on Stainless Steel Surfaces Using Electrolyzed Water in the Dairy Industry
Rodrigo Jiménez-Pichardo,
Iriana Hernández-Martínez,
Carlos Regalado-González,
José Santos-Cruz,
Yunny Meas-Vong,
María del Carmen Wacher-Rodarte,
Julián Carrillo-Reyes,
Irais Sánchez-Ortega,
Blanca Estela García-Almendárez
Affiliations
Rodrigo Jiménez-Pichardo
Technological University of Mineral de la Reforma, Camino Providencia-La Calera 1000, Colonia Paseos de Chavarría, Mineral de Reforma, Hidalgo 42186, Mexico
Iriana Hernández-Martínez
DIPA, PROPAC, Faculty of Chemistry, Autonomous University of Querétaro. C.U., Cerro de las Campanas Col. Las Campanas s/n, Querétaro Qro. 76010, Mexico
Carlos Regalado-González
DIPA, PROPAC, Faculty of Chemistry, Autonomous University of Querétaro. C.U., Cerro de las Campanas Col. Las Campanas s/n, Querétaro Qro. 76010, Mexico
José Santos-Cruz
DIPA, PROPAC, Faculty of Chemistry, Autonomous University of Querétaro. C.U., Cerro de las Campanas Col. Las Campanas s/n, Querétaro Qro. 76010, Mexico
Yunny Meas-Vong
Center for Research and Development in Electrochemistry, CIDETEQ, Parque Tecnológico Querétaro Sanfandila, Pedro Escobedo, Querétaro 76703, Mexico
María del Carmen Wacher-Rodarte
Food and Biotechnology Department, Faculty of Chemistry, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Av. Universidad 3000, Circuito Exterior s/n, Delegación Coyoacán CDMX 04510, Mexico
Julián Carrillo-Reyes
Academy Unit Juriquilla, Engineering Institute, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Blvd Juriquilla 3001, Juriquilla, Querétaro 76230, Mexico
Irais Sánchez-Ortega
Basic Sciences and Engineering Institute, Autonomous University of Hidalgo State, Ciudad del Conocimiento, Carr. Pachuca-Tulancingo Km 4.5, Col. Carboneras, Mineral de la Reforma Hidalgo 42184, Mexico
Blanca Estela García-Almendárez
DIPA, PROPAC, Faculty of Chemistry, Autonomous University of Querétaro. C.U., Cerro de las Campanas Col. Las Campanas s/n, Querétaro Qro. 76010, Mexico
Biofilms on food-contact surfaces can lead to recurrent contamination. This work aimed to study the biofilm formation process on stainless steel plates used in the dairy industry: 304 surface finish 2B and electropolished; and the effect of a cleaning and disinfection process using alkaline (AEW) and neutral (NEW) electrolyzed water. Milk fouling during heat processing can lead to type A or B deposits, which were analyzed for composition, surface energy, thickness, and roughness, while the role of raw milk microbiota on biofilm development was investigated. Bacteria, yeasts, and lactic acid bacteria were detected using EUB-338, PF2, and Str-493 probes, respectively, whereas Lis-637 probe detected Listeria sp. The genetic complexity and diversity of biofilms varied according to biofilm maturation day, as evaluated by 16S rRNA gene sequence, denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis, and fluorescence in situ hybridization microscopy. From analysis of the experimental designs, a cleaning stage of 50 mg/L NaOH of AEW at 30 °C for 10 min, followed by disinfection using 50 mg/L total available chlorine of NEW at 20 °C for 5 min is a sustainable alternative process to prevent biofilm formation. Fluorescence microscopy was used to visualize the effectiveness of this process.
