Have you ever heard of slime buildup in water systems? What may seem harmless at first glance can, in reality, lead to blockages, damage to pipe materials, and even health issues. The culprit? There's a good chance it's biofilm, a persistent slime layer caused by bacteria.
Microbial Slime
Slime/biofilm forms when microorganisms, such as bacteria, attach to surfaces. When multiple microorganisms combine, they form a slimy layer that holds them together. This slime offers protection against external factors, such as disinfectants. Furthermore, the microorganisms within this layer can communicate with each other and continue to multiply. As the biofilm grows, pieces of it can detach and reattach elsewhere in the system (1). This is how the problem spreads, creating a slime layer in multiple places within the water system. This not only obstructs water flow but also corrodes the pipe material, increasing the risk of leaks (2).
Health Risks
Slime formation in water systems brings health risks. For instance, slime in industrial systems can lead to cross-contamination with pathogens. In the food industry, this could potentially result in outbreaks or food spoilage. Biofilm also poses a threat to hygiene and safety in hospitals and livestock farming (2).
Preventing Slime Formation
Preventing biofilm and slime formation is a major challenge, particularly in sectors where hygiene is crucial. Because the microorganisms in a biofilm are more resistant to most antimicrobial agents, careful consideration must be given to which agent is used for biofilm prevention (2). An excellent agent for this is Watter Disinfection Solution (WDS). This agent, based on hypochlorous acid (HOCl), is capable of penetrating the biofilm and killing the microorganisms (3). WDS can be used in various sectors and is effective against a wide range of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and yeasts. This makes it ideally suited for preventing slime buildup.
Want to Know More?
Read more about biofilm/slime formation in the following blogs:
- Combating Biofilm with Watter
- Biofilm: Arch-nemesis of QA Managers
- Biofilm on the Farm: A Hidden Source of Harmful Bacteria
References
- Tolker-Nielsen, T. (2015). Biofilm Development. Microbiology Spectrum, 3(2).
- Carrascosa, C., Raheem, D., Ramos, F., Saraiva, A., & Raposo, A. (2021). Microbial Biofilms in the Food Industry—A Comprehensive Review. International Journal Of Environmental Research And Public Health, 18(4), 2014.
- Aherne, O., Ortiz, R., Fazli, M. M., & Davies, J. R. (2022). Effects of stabilized hypochlorous acid on oral biofilm bacteria. BMC oral health, 22(1), 415.