Milk processing surface provide conditions that allow Staphylococcus aureus to form biofilms, leading to persistent risks to food safety. This study aimed to investigate the factors influencing the biofilm formation and cross-contamination potential o...
Milk processing surface provide conditions that allow Staphylococcus aureus to form biofilms, leading to persistent risks to food safety. This study aimed to investigate the factors influencing the biofilm formation and cross-contamination potential of S. aureus biofilm in milk processing surface. In the present study, biofilms were developed on stainless steel surfaces under different nutritional conditions, tryptone soy broth (TSB), milk, and phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), and assessed for cross-contamination under nutrient conditions (milk and PBS) hydrodynamic conditions (static and dynamic) and surface materials (glass, polyethylene, and polyethylene terephthalate). The total viable cell of biofilm followed the order TSB, milk, and PBS, while the extracellular polymeric substances were most abundant in the biofilm formed in milk media. An atomic force microscopy analysis revealed that the biofilm formed in milk media showed thicker, rougher, and multilayered structures than biofilm formed other media. In cross-contamination, the highest transfer rate was observed in biofilms formed in milk media, which had the lowest cell surface hydrophobicity. In liquid media, higher transfer rates were observed by milk than by PBS, and lipids and proteins influenced transfer. Transfer rates were higher under dynamic conditions. The highest transfer rate was observed on polyethylene surfaces, which had the highest roughness. It was found that biofilm formation was influenced by nutrient composition. The cross-contamination of S. aureus biofilm is governed by the combined effects of nutrient, hydrodynamic, and surface microtopography. Furthermore, these findings provide valuable insights for the development of effective hygiene and sanitation strategies to control biofilm-related contamination in the milk industry.