Enzyme-based approaches to control microbial biofilms in dairy processing environments: A review

Abstract

In this review, formation of biofilms and the available data on enzyme-based preparations to control microbial biofilms in dairy processing environments are presented. Mature biofilms, especially those formed by pathogenic bacteria, have increased resistance to biocides, hence stressing the importance of stringent hygienic procedures. Proteases, amylases, cellulases and DNAses are among the most recently studied enzymes that could be associated with the main biocides used in the dairy industry to increase the effect of removal of biofilm. However, addi-tional studies should be conducted to select the best cost-benefit combinations of selected enzymes and biocides to remove efficiently biofilms in dairy processing environments.