Involvement of cell fatty acid composition and lipid metabolism in adhesion mechanism of Listeria monocytogenes

Straight long chain and medium chain free fatty acids (FFAs) were released in the colture supernatants particularly by the strain CH4 endowed with a high biofilm forming ability. The exposure of the latter strain to its own supernatants (conditioned media-CMs) enhanced the C16:0 and C18:0 accumulation in the medium. An unusual quantity of straight medium chain hydrocarbons like n-decane and n-tridecane has been detected particularly in the supernatants of strain. Moreover, long chain hydrocarbons up to nonadecane were released by both strains when exposed to acid stress. Since adhesion is connected with the hydrophobic link of the cells with glass and ionic interactions, these hydrophobic molecules could exercise a key role in the adhesion and de-adhesion mechanisms.