Work

Targeting Bacillus cereus biofilms: Biocontrol strategies, mechanisms of action, and emerging challenges

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: : Bacillus cereus is a ubiquitous spore-forming pathogen that represents a persistent challenge for the food industry due to its ability to rapidly colonize abiotic surfaces and develop highly resistant biofilms. These structures act as reservoirs for spores and may promote the persistence and expression of virulence determinants, including enterotoxins and the highly stable emetic toxin cereulide. As the food industry seeks more sustainable alternatives to conventional sanitation procedures and chemical disinfectants, new biocontrol strategies are gaining increasing attention. This review carefully examines the effectiveness of naturally derived and bioinspired compounds for the prevention and eradication of B. cereus biofilms, including essential oils, plant- and microbial-derived extracts, bacteriophages, phage-derived endolysins, engineered compounds, and innovative antibiofilm surfaces. We assess their physiological and molecular mechanisms, notably membrane disruption and quorum sensing interference, with a focus on the transcriptional modulation of key regulatory genes involved in biofilm development and virulence. In addition, we discuss major methodological limitations in the current literature, including the widespread use of single-strain models and non-industry-relevant materials, such as polystyrene, rather than food-grade stainless steel surfaces. Finally, we highlight key perspectives for future research, emphasising that effective biocontrol strategies must extend beyond vegetative cell eradication to target biofilm-associated spores and reduce the persistence of B. cereus and cereulide in food-processing environments.

Source: Food Control

DOI: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2026.112633

Authors: Camille Maurin-Dupuis, Romain Briandet, Alice Chateau