PREVALENCE AND BIOFILM FORMING ABILITY OF LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES ISOLATED FROM MEAT

Abstract

Listeria monocytogenes is a Gram-positive intracellular bacterium, which causes foodborne listeriosis. This organism can be introduced through many routes to food-processing environments and may become established on food-processing equipment. Examination of 130 meat samples was conducted and the Listeria monocytogenes prevalence was determined by using an ISO culture method and PCR method. The isolated strains’ ability to form a biofilm was determined with the microplate (MP) method. Out of 130 meat samples examined, 22 (17%) contained L. monocytogenes. The majority (n=13; 59%) of the strains were characterized by a no biofilm producer. Four of the of Listeria monocytogenes strains (18,2%) showed strong and five of them (22,7%) moderate ability to form biofilm