This study was designed to evaluate the occurrence of Bacillus cereus spores with a damaged exosporium and the consequences of such damages on spore adhesion. The analysis of nine strains sporulated under optimal conditions (Spo8-agar, 30 degrees C) revealed that damaged exosporia were systematically found in one strain (B. cereus D17) and occasionally in two others (B. cereus ATCC 14579T and B. cereus D6). The prevalence of spores with damaged exosporia increased when sporulation occurred under less favorable conditions (Spo8-broth or high temperature); for example, more than 50% of the B. cereus ATCC 14579T spores were damaged when sporulation occurred at 40 degrees C on Spo8-agar or at 30 degrees C in Spo8-broth. Furthermore, when subjected to shear stresses by circulation of spore suspensions through a peristaltic pump, the exosporium of a significant amount of spores became partially or totally shorn off (for example, 40% of the B. cereus ATCC 14579T spores). The ability of damaged spores to adhere to inert surfaces and to resist cleaning under shear stress was significantly affected when compared with intact spores, resulting in a decreased number of adhering spores (P < or = 0.004) and enhanced resistance to cleaning (P < or = 0.008). This study provides evidence that, under various conditions, the exosporium of B. cereus spores can be partly or wholly damaged, thereby affecting the ability of spores to contaminate the surfaces of food processing lines. The presence of spores devoid of exosporium will be of importance in determining the risk associated with B. cereus spores adherent to food processing line surfaces.
a b s t r a c tThe effects of pulsating turbulent flows on wall shear stress components were investigated in a straight pipe using the non-intrusive electrochemical method. Experiments were made using a new pulsation generator system which allows high amplitude pulsations in addition to a perfect stability of the installation. Maximum pulsation frequency equal to 2.86 Hz is used, above which fluid inertia dominates over most part of the flow field. Analysis showed that pulsating flows induce an increase of local velocity gradient at the wall pipe. This result is explained by the periodic renewal of the boundary layers. Spectral analysis showed high increasing rates of the fluctuation energy for the different pulsating conditions in comparison with a steady flow. The tested condition involving a recirculation flow induced a modification in the energy dissipation cascade, which can be explained by the redistribution of eddies size near the wall.
Pulsating turbulent flows effects on cleaning in place procedure of straight pipes were investigated for various pulsations parameters (frequency and amplitude) and mean velocities of the flow. Pulsations generation was made with a new system which allows high amplitude of pulsations. Experiments showed the contribution of the different pulsation parameters, in the removal of adhered bacterial spores, in addition to the effect of the mean velocity of the flow. A high level of the cleaning rate is observed despite the reduction of the magnitude of the mean velocity. This result can be explained by the effect of the two pulsations parameters (amplitude and frequency) which ensure a high wall shear rate. The study of the cleaning kinetics has shown the increase of the removal constant rate of spores using pulsed flow in comparison with the use of a steady turbulent flow.
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