Campylobacter jejuni Biofilm Formation Under Aerobic Conditions and Inhibition by ZnO Nanoparticles
Xian Zhong, Qingping Wu, Jumei Zhang, Zonghao Ma, Juan Wang, Xiang Nie, Yu Ding, Liang Xue, Moutong Chen, Shi Wu, Xianhu Wei, Youxiong Zhang
Abstract
Campylobacter jejuni is a major foodborne pathogen worldwide. As it can form biofilms, it can become a persistent contaminant in the food and pharmaceutical industries. In this study, it was demonstrated that Campylobacter jejuni could make more biofilm in aerobic condition than in microaerobic condition, and only 13.9% C. jejuni entered coccus (a VBNC state) under microaerobic conditions; however the rate increase to 95.5% under aerobic condition. Campylobacter jejuni could form more biofilm in mixed culture with Escherichia coli or Pseudomonas aeruginosa than in pure cultured. Scanning electron microscope results showed that Campylobacter jejuni retained its normal spiral shape under aerobic conditions for 48 h by forming crosslinks with the aerobic and facultative anaerobic bacteria. Additionally, culture medium containing 0.5 mg/ml ZnO nanoparticles inhibited biofilm formation. Our results provide information on a new approach to controlling contamination by Campylobacter jejuni.