Modeling and predicting the biofilm formation of Salmonella Virchow with respect to temperature and pH

Abstract

Bioflm formation of Salmonella Virchow was monitored with respect to time at three different temperature (20, 25 and 27.5 °C) and pH (5.2, 5.9 and 6.6) values. As the temperature increased at a constant pH level, bioflm formation decreased while as the pH level increased at a constant temperature, bioflm formation increased. Modified Gompertz equation with high adjusted determination coefficient (R2adj) and low mean square error (MSE) values produced reasonable fits for the bioflm formation under all conditions. Parameters of the modified Gompertz equation could be described in terms of temperature and pH by use of a second order polynomial function. In general, as temperature increased maximum bioflm quantity, maximum bioflm formation rate and time of acceleration of bioflm formation decreased; whereas, as pH increased; maximum bioflm quantity, maximum bioflm formation rate and time of acceleration of bioflm formation increased. Two temperature (23 and 26 °C) and pH (5.3 and 6.3) values were used up to 24 h to predict the bioflm formation of S. Virchow. Although the predictions did not perfectly match with the data, reasonable estimates were obtained. In principle, modeling and predicting the bioflm formation of different microorganisms on different surfaces under various conditions could be possible.