Biofilm Formation And Survival Of Serratia Fonticola, Klebsiella Pneumoniae And Chryseobacterium Jejuense On Tomato Phylloplane

Various human enteric pathogens have been isolated from surface of spinach, lettuce, sprouts, tomato, radish, berries etc. These microbes are not endemic to plant surface but they adapt and survive by mechanism(s) which are still unknown. This study was aimed to understand the colonization pattern of Serratia fonticola, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Chryseobacterium jejuense by leaf impression method on tomato plants raised under aseptic conditions. The biofilm forming ability of these bacteria were also studied. The study revealed that the population of these enteric pathogens were significantly high (89 CFU/cm(2)) on phylloplane of tomato after 96 hours of incubation. Each of these microbes had a distinct colonization pattern and could successfully form biofilm. The study throws light on the ability of human enteric pathogens to colonize phylloplane possibly aided by their biofilm forming capability on leaf surface. The study is significant since it shall enhance understanding of association of human enteric pathogens with plants to design strategies for their survival.