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Page No. : 11-14

ABSTRACT

Biofilm formation is a key virulence factor associated with many bacterial species. The present study isolated various bacteria from ready-to-eat milk products and assessed their biofilm production potential. A total of 100 samples of indigenous ready-to-eat milk products comprised of cream roll, burfi, rasmalai, badaam milk and kulfi (20 each) were processed for isolation of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Bacillus cereus and Listeria monocytogenes. A total of 19 S. aureus, 38 E. coli and 12 B. cereus isolates were obtained while none of the samples yielded L. monocytogenes. The isolates were analysed for biofilm production potential by microtiter plate method. Out of 69 bacterial isolates, majority of isolates were weak biofilm producers (n=52, 75.36%) while 4 (5.79%) were moderately positive. None of the isolates was strong positive in microtiter plate test. The study indicated that ready-to-eat milk products were contaminated with bacteria while majority of bacteria isolates were having lower potential of biofilm production.

Keywords: Biofilm, milk, pathogens, ready-to-eat