biofilm
“
BIOFILMS BEGIN life as free-floating bacteria that are common in most water supplies . These bacteria attach to surfaces and are not particular about where they take up residence .”
The dangers of biofilms harbouring unwanted microbial life in a hydroponic system are not limited to the inside surfaces of irrigation lines , reservoirs , or growing channels . Biofilms can form on plants themselves , most commonly on the roots . However , recent research has identified that some of the foodborne , illness-causing pathogens can adhere to and form biofilms on fruit and foliage . This finding is of particular concern for crops that are not cooked before consumption — salad and leafy greens , micro greens , fresh herbs , and berries are higher risk items for food-related illness outbreaks . While salad greens and other leafy vegetables are often well-washed in chlorinated water after harvest , any food-borne illness pathogens that are protected inside biofilms can persist and be resistant to disinfection treatments . Salmonella and E Coli , which have caused a number of food illness outbreaks in fresh produce , have been shown to adhere to and form biofilms on plants . For hydroponic growers and salad green producers , this is an important finding as it places emphasis on crop hygiene and prevention of contamination of the crop with these bacteria , rather than complete reliance on post harvest washing and disinfection processes . Aquaponic systems are heavily reliant on the establishment of healthy microbial biofilms ( biofilters ) which convert organic materials into plant usable nutrients .
68 feature