This paper concerns the formation of biofilm in bacteria of the genus Arcobacter. A multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method was introduced and optimized for detecting biofilm while using the intercalating dyes ethidium monoazide (EMA) and propidium monoazide (PMA), first for analysis of strains of the genus Arcobacter from a collection, and then applied to samples of prepared biofilms. The results of the study indicate considerable variability among species of bacteria within the genus Arcobacter. The EMA-PMA PCR method can distinguish viable cells from dead cells and is therefore suitable for determining the viability of cells.

Department of Analytical Chemistry Faculty of Chemical Technology University of Pardubice Studentská 573 532 10 Pardubice Czech Republic

Biofilm Formation Ability of Arcobacter-like and Campylobacter Strains under Different Conditions and on Food Processing Materials