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Abstract
The objective of this research was to determine the importance of extracellular DNA (eDNA) in the formation of biofilms of Listeria monocytogenes. Five strains of L. monocytogenes with varying biofilm production were selected for experimentation. The strains were cultured on stainless steel coupons and exposed to the enzyme DNase I. Biofilms of L. monocytogenes are surrounded by a three dimensional matrix consisting of eDNA. DNase I hydrolyzes DNA, including eDNA. There was a reduction in the percent of biofilm coverage, and the number of colony forming units for all strains cultured for 12 hr and 24 hr and then treated with DNase I. On the whole, L. monocytogenes present on stainless steel was diminished, indicating that eDNA has an important role in the biofilm production of L. monocytogenes.