Effect of Simple Sugars on the Growth and Biofilm Formation of Staphylococcus Gallinarum Strain wx190801 on Common Food Contact Surfaces

Abstract Biofilm formation by Staphylococcus gallinarum on food contact surfaces poses significant risks to food safety and human health due to the enhanced resistance of biofilms to antimicrobial treatments. This study investigates the effects of four simple sugars—glucose, galactose, mannose, and fructose—on the growth and biofilm formation of S. gallinarum strain wx190801, isolated from canned chickpeas. The impact of each sugar on bacterial growth and biofilm formation was assessed on stainless steel, aluminum, glass, and plastic surfaces. Fructose exhibited the strongest antibiofilm activity, reducing biofilm formation by up to 86% on glass surfaces and inhibiting bacterial growth in a dose‐dependent manner. Additionally, fructose suppressed the production of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and extracellular DNA (eDNA), both of which are critical for biofilm development and reduced bacterial motility. However, fructose was less effective at disrupting mature biofilms. These findings suggest that fructose has significant potential as an eco‐friendly and non‐toxic antibiofilm agent, particularly for preventing biofilm formation on food contact surfaces. Further research is needed to explore its long‐term efficacy and practical applications in food safety protocols.