probiotic

biofilms

foodborne pathogens

biofilm production

phage therapy

biofilm matrix

vibrio cholerae

Applied and Environmental Microbiology

Biofilms are the predominant bacterial lifestyle and can protect microorganisms from environmental stresses. Multispecies biofilms can affect the survival of enteric pathogens that contaminate food products, and thus, investigating the underlying mechanisms of multispecies biofilms is essential for food safety and human health. In this study, we investigated the ability of the natural isolate Bacillus subtilis PS-216 to restrain Campylobacter jejuni biofilm formation and adhesion to abiotic surfaces as well as to disrupt preestablished C. jejuni biofilms. Using confocal laser scanning microscopy and colony counts, we demonstrate that the presence of B. subtilis PS-216 prevents C. jejuni biofilm formation, decreases growth of the pathogen by 4.2 log10, and disperses 26-h-old preestablished C. jejuni biofilms. Furthermore, the coinoculation of B. subtilis and C. jejuni interferes with the adhesion of C. jejuni to abiotic surfaces, reducing it by 2.4 log10. We also show that contact-independent mechanisms contribute to the inhibitory effect of B. subtilis PS-216 on C. jejuni biofilm. Using B. subtilis mutants in genes coding for nonribosomal peptides and polyketides revealed that bacillaene significantly contributes to the inhibitory effect of B. subtilis PS-216. In summary, we show a strong potential for the use of B. subtilis PS-216 against C. jejuni biofilm formation and adhesion to abiotic surfaces. Our research could bring forward novel applications of B. subtilis in animal production and thus contribute to food safety. IMPORTANCE Campylobacter jejuni is an intestinal commensal in animals (including broiler chickens) but also the most frequent cause of bacterial foodborne infection in humans. This pathogen forms biofilms which enhance survival of C. jejuni in food processing and thus threaten human health. Probiotic bacteria represent a potential alternative in the prevention and control of foodborne infections. The beneficial bacterium Bacillus subtilis has an excellent probiotic potential to reduce C. jejuni ...

Bacillaene Mediates the Inhibitory Effect of Bacillus subtilis on Campylobacter jejuni Biofilms