Identification and physicochemical characterization of bacterial surface isolated from catering services in health establishment

Abstract

The initial interaction between microorganisms and substrata is mediated by physicochemical forces, which originate from the physicochemical surface properties of both interacting surfaces. In this context, we have determined the physicochemical proprieties (hydrophobicity, electron-donor and electron-acceptor) of 37 isolates belonging to three genres of bacteria: Pseudomonas spp., Staphylococcus spp. and some species of Enterobacteriaceae isolated from various surfaces of the equipment and materials used in health establishment catering services. The physicochemical properties of these isolates were determined by contact angles measurements via Sessile Drop Technique. The results revealed that 62% of all bacteria studied exhibit a hydrophilic character (ΔGiwi >0) and other strains have a hydrophobic character (ΔGiwi <0). Also the results show that all strains have a high electron donor character (high γ-) (ranging from 22.8 mJ.m-2 to 105.4 mJ.m-2). Forty one percent of these strains have a high electron acceptor (γ+) (ranging from 14.7 mJ.m-2 to 34.6 mJ.m-2) and the others express a low electron acceptor character.

Keywords

• physicochemical properties
• contact angles measurements
• Pseudomonas spp.
• Staphylococcus spp.
• Enterobacteriaceae