Biofilm Formation, Cell Surface Hydrophobicity, and Fatty Acids Analysis of Starved Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium in Seawater

Salmonella is an international foodborne pathogen widely disseminated in seawater that regularly causes large outbreaks of food poisoning. In this study, we have investigated the effect of starvation on the ability of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium cells to adhere to polystyrene microplate and Hep2 cells in seawater microcosms after incubation for 3 years. Cell surface hydrophobicity was evaluated. Effect of stress on fatty acids composition was also established. Our results showed that after incubation in seawater, the ability of starved cells to adhere to polystyrene microplate was decreased significantly. However, the adhesion values to Hep2 cells have increased. In addition, cells surface hydrophobicity was decreased. The fatty acids composition of starved cells was modified.