Preventing and Reducing Biofilm Formation and Planktonic Proliferation

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods for preventing and/or reducing biofilm formation and/or planktonic proliferation with one or more selected bacteria strains or bacterial blends.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method for preventing and/or reducing biofilm formation on a surface, comprising subjecting said surface to one or more bacteria strains selected from the group consisting of:
 the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50014;   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50015;   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50016;   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50017;   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50018;   the strain having the deposit accession number PTA-7541;   the strain having the deposit accession number PTA-7542;   the strain having the deposit accession number PTA-7543;   the strain having the deposit accession number PTA-7544;   the strain having the deposit accession number PTA-7545;   the strain having the deposit accession number PTA-7546;   the strain having the deposit accession number PTA-7547;   the strain having the deposit accession number PTA-7549;   the strain having the deposit accession number PTA-7790;   the strain having the deposit accession number PTA-7791;   the strain having the deposit accession number PTA-7792;   the strain having the deposit accession number PTA-7793; or a mixture of two or more of the strains.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the strain(s) has (have) properties substantially identical to one of the deposited strains, or a mixture of two or more thereof. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the surface is a hard surface, preferably made of one or more materials selected from the group consisting of metal, plastics, rubber, board, glass, wood, paper, concrete, rock, marble, gypsum, and ceramic materials, such as porcelain; or a soft surface, preferably made of one or more materials selected from the group consisting of fibers, e.g., yarns, textiles, vegetable fibers; rock wool, hair; skin; keratinous materials; and internal organs, e.g., lungs; or a porous surface. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the hard surface is a toilet bowl; toilet water reservoir; cooling tower; water treatment plant; water tank; dairy, food processing plant; chemical or pharmaceutical process plant; or medical device. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the biofilm formation is caused by one or more undesired microorganisms, preferably bacteria, such as pathogenic bacteria. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the undesired microorganism, preferably bacteria, causes corrosion, pitting, degradation of the material in question; infection; staining or otherwise making a surface appear aesthetically unpleasing. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claims 21 , wherein the method is repeated periodically. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising subjecting the surface to an enzyme, preferably an enzyme selected from the group of proteases, alpha-amylases, cellulases, lipases, peroxidases/oxidases, pectate lyases, and mannanases, or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising subjecting the surface to one or more agents selected from the group consisting of dispersants, surfactants, anti-microbial agents, and biocides. 
     
     
         30 . A method for preventing and/or reducing planktonic proliferation of microorganisms, comprising subjecting said microorganism(s) in aqueous solution with one or more bacteria strains selected from the group consisting of:
 the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50014;   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50015;   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50016;   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50017;   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50018;   the strain having the deposit accession number PTA-7541;   the strain having the deposit accession number PTA-7542;   the strain having the deposit accession number PTA-7543;   the strain having the deposit accession number PTA-7544;   the strain having the deposit accession number PTA-7545;   the strain having the deposit accession number PTA-7546;   the strain having the deposit accession number PTA-7547;   the strain having the deposit accession number PTA-7549;   the strain having the deposit accession number PTA-7790;   the strain having the deposit accession number PTA-7791;   the strain having the deposit accession number PTA-7792;   the strain having the deposit accession number PTA-7793; or a mixture of two or more of the strains.   
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the strain has properties substantially identical to one of the deposited strains, or a mixture of two or more thereof. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein planktonic proliferation is caused by one or more undesired microorganisms, preferably bacteria, such as pathogenic bacteria. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the method is repeated periodically. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein further one or more agents selected from the group consisting of enzymes, dispersants, surfactants, anti-microbials, and biocides, are present. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the bacteria cell count is in the range from 1 to 1×10 8  cfu/mL, preferably 50 to 1×10 7  cfu/mL. 
     
     
         36 . A composition comprising one or more cultures of  claim 21 . 
     
     
         37 . The composition of  claim 36 , which further comprises a surfactant. 
     
     
         38 . The composition of  claim 36 , which further comprises one or more enzymes. 
     
     
         39 . The composition of  claim 38 , wherein the enzyme is selected from the group consisting of proteases, alpha-amylases, cellulases, lipases, peroxidases/oxidases, pectate lyases, and mannanases, or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         40 . The composition of  claim 36 , which further comprises one or more ingredients selected from the group consisting of dispersants, stabilizers, anti-microbial agents, fragrances, dyes, and biocides.