Efficacy of ficin and peroxyacetic acid against Salmonella enterica serovar Thompson biofilm on plastic, eggshell, and chicken skin

• Published in: Food microbiology 2022-06, Vol.104, p.103997-103997, Article 103997
• Main Authors: Nahar, Shamsun, Jeong, Ha Lim, Cho, Ah Jin, Park, Jun-Ha, Han, Sangha, Kim, Younsoo, Park, Si-Hong, Ha, Sang-Do
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Biofilm reduction; Biofilms; Chickens; Egg Shell; Ficain - pharmacology; Ficin; Peracetic Acid - pharmacology; Peroxyacetic acid; Plastic; Plastics - pharmacology; Poultry; Salmonella; Salmonella enterica; Salmonella Thompson; Serogroup
• ISSN: 0740-0020; 1095-9998
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fm.2022.103997

Salmonella is the leading cause of zoonotic foodborne illnesses worldwide and a prevalent threat to the poultry industry. For controlling contamination, the use of chemical sanitizers in combination with biological compounds (e.g., enzymes) offers a solution to reduce the chemical residues. The current study investigated the biofilm reduction effects of a food-grade enzyme—ficin—and a common sanitizer—peroxyacetic acid (PAA)—against an emerging pathogen, Salmonella enterica ser. Thompson, on plastic, eggshell, and chicken skin surfaces. Results showed that PAA could kill S. Thompson, but ficin cannot. Maximum biofilm reduction was 3.7 log CFU/cm2 from plastic after individual treatment with PAA. However, sequential treatment of ficin and PAA led to biofilm reductions of 3.2, 5.0, and 6.5 log CFU/cm2 from chicken skin, eggshell, and plastic, respectively. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and microscopic analysis confirmed that ficin increased PAA action, causing biofilm matrix destruction. Moreover, the quality of the food surfaces was only altered by 12.5 U/mL ficin and was not altered by PAA. This combined use of enzyme and sanitizer solved major safety issues and proved promising against S. Thompson-associated contaminations in poultry and poultry processing lines. •Both ficin and PAA was efficient against Salmonella enterica ser. Thompson biofilm.•Antagonistic effect was noted from the combined treatment.•Biofilm elimination on plastic was higher compare to eggshell and chicken skin.•Quality of food surfaces remained fresh until 6.25 U/mL of ficin treatment.•Specific concentration of ficin-PAA could be promising in poultry sector.