Response of Formed‐Biofilm of Enterobacter cloacae , Klebsiella oxytoca , and Citrobacter freundii to Chlorite‐Based Disinfectants

Bacterial biofilms formed on equipment surfaces are potential sources of cross-contamination and can be responsible for the spread of bacteria involved in food spoilage, such as some Enterobacteriaceae family members. In this study, the effect of chlorite-based disinfectants, including sodium hypochlorite (SH), chlorine dioxide (CD), strongly acidic electrolyzed water (StAEW), and neutral electrolyzed water (NEW), on inactivation of mono-biofilms of Enterobacter cloacae, Klebsiella oxytoca, and Citrobacter freundii was evaluated separately. All the strains were enumerated by the viable plate-count method after disinfection for 30 min. A comparison of the surviving cells after disinfection indicated that E. cloacae biofilms were more resistant to disinfectants than the biofilms of the other two strains, and treatment with all the disinfectants improved sanitizing. SH (200 mg/L) was the most effective in the reduction of cell number in the biofilms of all strains. Considering the safety of use and environmental protection, electrolyzed oxidizing water, especially StAEW, was a good suggestion for the inactivation of cells in K. oxytoca or C. freundii biofilms. These results suggest that the cells in biofilm of E. cloacae, K. oxytoca, and C. freundii were highly sensitive to chlorite-based disinfectants and provide insights into the efficacy of disinfectants in killing bacteria. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The Enterobacteriaceae biofilms formed on equipment surfaces, which can cause cross-contamination and food spoilage, are greatly challenging bacterial contaminants of food products. Electrolyzed oxidizing water is a novel, environmentally friendly disinfectant that can effectively treat Enterobacteriaceae biofilms. The results of this study may be used to design effective measures to disinfect biofilms on equipment contact surfaces.