Bionanotechnology Approaches to Combat Biofilms and Drug Resistance

Abstract

This chapter deals with the formation of biofilms, their resistance to antibacterial agents, the importance and risk of biofilms, and nanotechnology methods for biofilm control in the food industry. Biofilm is a multi-layer cell cluster embedded in an organic polymer matrix, which protects microbial cells from environmental stress, antibiotics, and disinfectants. Microorganisms that live in contact points and the environment in food processing are mostly harmful because the microbial community in the wrong location can lead to contamination of the surfaces and products produced during the processing. When new nanomaterials (for example, silver or copper are incorporated) are used, the growth of surface biofilms can also be reduced. In recent years, new nanotechnology-based antimicrobials have been designed to kill planktonic, antibiotic-resistant bacteria, but additional requirements rather than the mere killing of suspended bacteria must be met to combat biofilm-infections.