ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE OF BACTERIA ISOLATED FROM BIOFILMS IN A FOOD PROCESSING PLANT

Objective. To assess the antibiotic resistance and the ability to produce biofilms in bacteria isolated from a food processing plant. Materials and methods. Samples from 3 different zones from a food processing plant were analyzed: Baskets washers, production table and baler band. The bacteria were isolated and identified in each of three zones and biofilm forming capacity was measured for all the isolates by quantifying the cells present in the biofilm. Subsequently, a test of resistance to eight different antibiotics was assessed. Results. From a total of 29 isolates,13 different genres were identified. All of these genres were biofilm- formers. About 50% of the isolated bacteria were resistant to antibiotics such as penicillin G and vancomycin. Similarly, a high degree of antibiotic multiresistance was demonstrated in the bacteria isolated. Conclusions. Multiresistance to antibiotics was observed in many of the isolates. Since these bacteria can be transmitted through food, this could be a problem for public health. Aso, it is important the biofilm forming capacity in the analyzed bacteria, as well as the wide number of enteric and environmental bacteria found in this study which suggests inefficiency on food processing plant cleanliness and disinfection program.