Listeria monocytogenes é o agente causal da listeriose, uma doença que pode atingir mulheres grávidas (e seus fetos), crianças, idosos e indivíduos com o sistema imunológico comprometido, A listeriose representa a maioria dos casos de morte decorrente de toxinfecções alimentares. Os alimentos são reconhecidos como fontes primárias da transmissão desta bactéria para o homem e L. monocytogenes já foi isolada de uma grande variedade de alimentos. Superfícies de equipamentos utilizados na produção de alimentos também podem estar contaminadas com este patógeno. Falhas em procedimentos de higienização podem deixar resíduos nos equipamentos de processamento de alimentos e L. monocytogenes pode se aderir a superfícies abióticas e iniciar sua multiplicação, dando origem a biofilmes. A interação com bactérias de outras espécies pode influenciar na forma formação de biofilmes por L. monocytogenes, constituindo um aspecto importante de estudo para auxiliar no controle da contaminação de alimentos por esta bactéria. Leuconostoc mesenteroides é uma bactéria lática normalmente encontrada em alimentos e algumas cepas podem interferir na multiplicação de L. monocytogenes pela produção de bacteriocinas com atividade antilisterial. Os biofilmes representam uma preocupação para indústria de alimentos, pois geralmente os microorganismos aderidos apresentam maior capacidade de resistir a tratamentos antimicrobianos. Neste trabalho, foram coletadas 30 amostras de presunto cozido fatiado, 30 de mussarela fatiada e 30 de superfícies de equipamentos de fatiar alimentos, em estabelecimentos do comércio varejista de Ribeirão Preto SP. As amostras forma avaliadas quanto à presença ou ausência de L. monocytogenes e também foi estudada a capacidade dos isolados em formar biofilmes em cultura pura e em testes de co-cultura. O sanitizante ácido peracético e a bacteriocina nisina foram testados para controlar a formação de biofilme por L. monocytogenes. Os resultados obtidos mostram que os isolados de L. monocytogenes formaram biofilme em superfície de aço inoxidável quando cultivados isoladamente ou em testes de co-cultura com L.mesenteroides. O tratamento da lâmina com ácido peracético inativou todas as células presentes no biofilme. Nas condições utilizadas, nisina não apresentou atividade contra L.monocytogenes em biofilmes. / Listeria monocytogenes is the causal agent of listeriosis, an infection that targets mainly pregnant women (and their fetuses), children, the elderly and immunocompromised individuals. Listeriosis represents the majority of fatal cases of foodborne diseases. Foods are recognized as primary sources of transmission of this bacterium to man and L. monocytogenes has been isolated from of a great variety of foods. Surfaces of equipments used in the production of foods can harbour L. monocytogenes. Failures in sanitization procedures can leave food residues adhered to equipments of food processing and L. monocytogenes can attach to abiotic surfaces, multiply and form biofilms. Interactions among bacteria of diverse species may influence biofilm formation by L. monocytogenes and this is an important issue to be studied to improve food safety. Leuconostoc mesenteroides is a lactic bacterium usually found in foods and some strains can interfere with the multiplication of L. monocytogenes by production of bacteriocins with antilisterial activity. Biofilms represent a special concern to the food industry, because adhered microorganism are generally more resistant to antimicrobial treatments. In this work, we collected 30 samples of sliced cooked ham, 30 of sliced mozzarella cheese and 30 of surfaces of food processing equipments, in the retail market of the city of Ribeirão Preto - SP. The samples were studied for presence or absence of L. monocytogenes. The ability of the isolates to form biofilms was also studied, in pure and in co-culture tests. The sanitizer peracetic acid and the bacteriocin nisin were tested to control biofilm formation by L. monocytogenes. L. monocytogenes formed biofilm on stainless steel coupons when cultivated alone or in co-culture with L. mesenteroides. The treatment of stainless steel coupons with peracetic acid inactivated the cells of the biofilm. Under the experimental conditions tested nisin did not present activity against L. monocytogenes in biofilms.

Observações feitas pelo próprio autor sugerem potencial ação do Líquido da Castanha de Caju (LCC) na pigmentação da pele, ação esta semelhante a da hidroquinona. O LCC é um líquido contido na casca da castanha de caju, possui característica de resina líquida, bastante viscosa e de odor forte, sua coloração varia de marrom claro, escuro a preto, dependendo do método de extração utilizado, podendo ser denominado de Natural ou Técnico. Este estudo propôs cultivar melanócitos e queratinócitos em cocultura e posteriormente tratálos com LCC. A L-DOPA, agente estimulador da melanogênese, via da produção de melanina, responsável pela pigmentação da pele, foi utilizada na cocultura para avaliar a ação do LCC. A hidroquinona, conhecido inibidor desta via, foi utilizada na cocultura como controle positivo para o LCC, visto que este poderia apresentar ação semelhante a da hidroquinona. Para a utilização do LCC na cocultura, testes de solubilidade do mesmo para posterior dispersão no meio de cultura, foram necessários, bem como a identificação de seu potencial cito e fototóxico in vitro. Para a realização do teste de fototoxicidade foi construída uma câmara específica, atendendo as normas exigidas pelos guias ©ECVAM DB-ALM: INVITTOX protocol e OECD TG-432, sendo esta qualificada por método validado. Os testes realizados com o LCC (natural e técnico) indicaram potencial ação destes na pigmentação da pele, estimulando a proliferação de melanócitos em cocultura. Este perfil apresentado, pelos extratos de LCC, é contrário ao da hidroquinona, e ao esperado inicialmente, sendo necessário aprofundar estes estudos. No entanto, estes resultados são promissores, sugerindo a descoberta de um novo tratamento para hipocromias. / Observations, made by the author, suggest potential action of Cashew Nut Shell Liquid (CNSL) in skin pigmentation, action similar to hydroquinone. The CNSL is a liquid contained inside the shell of the cashew nut, it has features of liquid resin, quite viscous and strong smell. Its color varies from clear or dark brown, to black, depending on the extraction method used, which may be called Natural or Technical. This study aimed to cultivate melanocytes and keratinocytes in co-culture and thus treat them with CNSL. The L-DOPA, stimulating agent of melanogenesis, melanin production pathway, responsible for skin pigmentation, was used to assess the CNSL action in the co-culture. Hydroquinone, known inhibitor of this pathway, was used as positive control for CNSL in the co-culture, since this could provide a similar action to hydroquinone. For use of CNSL in the co-culture, solubility tests, for subsequent dispersion in the culture medium, were necessary, as well as the identification of its cytototoxic and phototoxic potential in vitro. To achievement of the phototoxicity tests a specific chamber was built according to the standards required by the guides ©ECVAM DB-ALM: INVITTOX protocol and OECD TG-432, being qualified by validated method. Tests conducted with the CNSL (natural and technical) indicated their potential actions in skin pigmentation, stimulating the proliferation of melanocytes in co-culture. This behavior presented by the CNSL extracts, is opposite to the hydroquinone, and to the initially expected, being required further studies. However, these results are promising, suggesting the discovery of a new treatment for hypochromia.

Although there are over 1,600 Engineered Nanomaterials (ENMs)-containing consumer products available, our understanding of ENM safety is still limited. Airborne ENMs can readily enter the human body through inhalation potentially leading to many adverse health effects such as cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases. The conventional in vitro submerged cell culture method was developed decades ago and has been widely used as a fast screening method to elucidate cellular toxicity upon exposure to hazardous materials; however, it has many limitations compared with the in vivo models. Our group has previously utilized and validated an integrated low flow system capable of generating and depositing airborne nanoparticles (NPs) directly onto cells at an air-liquid interface (ALI) condition, and our results confirmed that this exposure system produced reproducible toxicological data for ENMs including gold (Au), 16% silver coated onto silica (16% Ag-SiO2), and copper oxide (CuO). To further improve this ALI method for an even closer representation of the in vivo model, a co-culture model containing three cell lines (A549, THP-1 differentiated macrophages, and EA.hy 926) was established and validated for testing ENMs toxicity. The co-culture model was exposed to 16% Ag-SiO2 and CuO NPs under the same protocol (4 h ALI exposure with a concentration of 3.5 mg/m3) as monoculture (A549 only) for comparison. Toxicity was assessed by measuring cell viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, and interleukin (IL) 8 level. Results showed that 16% Ag-SiO2 NPs induced higher ROS generation, and CuO NPs produced a significant level of proinflammatory response compared with monoculture. In addition, the co-culture model exhibited a similar response with the primary human bronchial epithelia cell line (HBEC) in terms of ROS and IL-8 responses after CuO NPs exposure, suggesting a more advanced refinement of the conventional model for in vitro inhalation study.

Ce travail porte sur l'étude chimique d'une souche endophyte de Botryosphaeria mamane, un micromycète relativement peu étudié, isolée des feuilles de Bixa orellana. Des travaux préliminaires portant sur le screening de 409 souches de champignons isolés à partir de plantes médicinales d'Amérique du Sud a révélé que parmi celles-ci, B. mamane E224 était l'une des souches les plus actives in vitro sur un modèle de Leishmania infantum. L'objectif de ce travail a consisté en l'induction de la production de nouveaux métabolites secondaires produits par B. mamane via l'optimisation des conditions de culture de cette souche, la mise en place de méthodes de co-cultures et l'ajout de modificateurs épigénétiques. Une analyse des métabolomes dans les différentes conditions a été réalisée à travers une approche métabolomique, utilisant un couplage UHPLC-HRMS, ainsi que grâce à différents outils statistiques. Deux grandes classes de composés ont ainsi été détectées dans les cultures axéniques de B. mamane. Premièrement, la famille des cyclopeptides, incluant les cyclodipeptides soufrés avec en particulier trois nouveaux composés, les botryosulfuranols A-C. Puis la famille des isocoumarines, avec des dérivés de la melleine (trans-4-hydroxymelleine, 4-hydroxymelleine et 5-hydroxymellein). A travers l'ajout de modificateurs épigénétiques à la culture de B. mamane, nous avons pu étudier les effets de deux inhibiteurs d'histone désacétylases (HDACis), l'acide suberoylanilidehydroxamique (SAHA) et le valproate sodique, ajoutés à deux stades différents de la culture fongique. L'ajout de HDACi dans la culture de B. mamane a entraîné des changements importants dans la production de métabolites secondaires. En effet, une induction de certains métabolites mais également une réduction et l'inactivation de la production d'autres métabolites, ont été observés, et ceci selon la nature du modificateur épigénétique ajouté. Cette étude illustre l'importance du choix des HDACis pour l'induction de la production de métabolites spécifiques. Concernant l'optimisation de la co-culture de B.[...] / This study focused on the strain of a poorly studied fungal endophyte Botryosphaeria mamane E224, isolated from Bixa orellana leaves. Our previous screening involving 409 fungal strains isolated from medicinal plants from South America revealed that among all these strains, B. mamane was shown to be the most bioactive on in vitro model against Leishmania infantum. The objectives of this work consisted in the introduction of new metabolite production by B. mamane by optimizing the fungal culture conditions, and by using co-cultivation methods and addition of epigenetic modifiers. This work was followed by an analysis of the different metabolomes via a metabolomics approach using UHPLC-HRMS and integration of informatics and statistical tools for metabolomics. Two major compound classes were detected in B. mamane. First, the cyclopeptide family including the thiodiketopiperazines (TDKPs) alkaloids with three new compounds proposed as botryosulfuranols A-C; and the isocoumarin family, with the mellein derivatives, trans-4-hydroxymellein, 4-hydroxymellein, and 5-hydroxymellein. Regarding the exploration of B. mamane metabolome cultured in the presence of epigenetic modifier, the effects of two different histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACis), suberoylanilidehydroxamic acid (SAHA) and valproate sodium added in two different stages of fungal growth, were investigated. As expected, HDACis addition in the culture of B. mamane led to significant changes in the secondary metabolite production. Addition of modifier not only induced metabolites production but also reduced and may inactivate metabolite production in fungi, depending on the nature of the epigenetic modifier added. This study illustrates the importance in the choice of HDACis to fungal culture in order to induce specific metabolite productions. In the study of B. mamane and C. albicans co-cultivation in different culture conditions, we showed the influence of the conditions (static versus agitation) on the metabolome of the fungi. However, the co-culture with yeast did not induce any modification in the fungal metabolome. The investigation of fungal interactions between B. mamane, Fusarium solani, and Colletotrichum linicola in 6-multi well plates in time-series based analysis has been carried out. [...]

No description available.

Stress promotes the use of methamphetamine and other recreational substances and is often implicated in relapse to stimulant use. Thus, it is of critical importance to examine the consequences of the co-occurance of stress and methamphetamine use. Activity of the glutamatergic N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor system appears to be involved in the neurotoxic effects of both chronic stress and methamphetamine exposure. The current studies investigated the hypothesis that chronic pre-exposure to the stress hormone corticosterone (CORT) results in an increase of NMDA receptor activity and that this will potentiate the neurotoxic effects of methamphetamine (METH). Co-cultures of the ventral tegmental area, nucleus accumbens, and medial prefrontal cortex were pre-exposed to CORT (1 μM) for 5 days prior to co-exposure to METH (100 μM) for 24 hours to investigate the combined effects on neurotoxicity and protein density of NMDA receptor subunits. The combination of CORT and METH resulted in significant neurotoxicity within the medial prefrontal cortex compared to either CORT or METH alone. The CORT+METH-induced toxicity was attenuated by co-exposure to the NMDA receptor antagonist (2R)-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid (APV; 50 μM) during the 24 hour CORT and METH co-exposure. Although CORT alone did not significantly alter the density of the NR1 and NR2B subunits of the NMDA receptor, METH exposure for 24 hours resulted in a significant loss of the polyamine sensitive NR2B subunit. Co-exposure to CORT and METH also resulted in decreased extracellular glutamate while not significantly altering extracellular dopamine. These results suggest an enhancement of NMDA receptor systems or downstream effectors in areas of the mesolimbic reward pathway following chronic pre-exposure to CORT, which leads to enhanced neuronal vulnerability to future excitotoxic insults. This may be of critical importance as use of psychostimulants such as METH and other drugs of abuse may produce excitotoxic events in these areas, thus further compromising neuronal viability.

Ce projet de thèse se propose d'évaluer le devenir, la cytotoxicité et la réponse inflammatoire pulmonaire in vitro suite à l'exposition aux nanoparticules, et plus particulièrement vis-à-vis de la région alvéolaire.Les nanoparticules étudiées sont formulées à base d'acide poly (lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) (polymère biodégradable), stabilisées, ou non, par différents polymères de surface (alcool polyvinylique (PVA), chitosane (CS), pluronic F68 (PF68)). Les nanoparticules ont une taille d'environ 200 nm, et présentent des charges de surface neutre (PLGA/PVA), positive (PLGA/CS) ou négative (PLGA/PF68 et PLGA sans stabilisant). Des nanoparticules non-biodégradables de dioxyde de titane (TiO2) et de polystyrène ont été choisies comme contrôle positif. Pour mimer les conditions alvéolaires, la lignée cellulaire A549 d'épithélium alvéolaire humain a été utilisée en mono-culture et en co-culture en contact direct avec des macrophages différenciés de monocytes humains (lignée THP-1). Les caractérisations phénotypique et microscopique de la co-culture, ont confirmé la présence de deux types cellulaires viables et en contact. Le CD14, récepteur membranaire exprimé uniquement par les macrophages, sera utilisé pour identifier chaque sous-population cellulaire. D'autre part, l'analyse du récepteur CD54 a montré la présence d'interactions intercellulaires en co-culture : exprimé uniquement par les macrophages en mono-culture, il est exprimé par les deux sous-populations cellulaires en co-culture. Ces interactions ont été confirmées lors de la quantification des cytokines sécrétées après exposition au lipopolysaccharide: les niveaux de sécrétions en co-culture étant jusqu'à 5 fois supérieurs aux niveaux théoriques (issus de la somme des sécrétions en mono-culture).L'analyse en microscopie confocale a confirmé que les nanoparticules sont internalisées par chaque type cellulaire, Les cinétiques d'internalisation suivies en cytométrie en flux ont montré que les nanoparticules de charge de surface négative sont internalisées en plus grande quantité que les autres, quelque soit le type cellulaire, en mono ou en co-culture, selon un mécanisme énergie-dépendant. Enfin, en co-culture, les macrophages internalisent davantage de nanoparticules que les cellules épithéliales.La cytotoxicité des nanoparticules a été évaluée par la mesure de l'activité mitochondriale, l'étude de l'intégrité membranaire, et le type de mort cellulaire. Les résultats montrent qu'à faible concentration toutes les nanoparticules de PLGA induisent une cytotoxicité généralement faible (60 à 80 % de viabilité), avec une mort exclusivement nécrotique, sans induire de forts dommages à la membrane. La toxicité des nanoparticules de PLGA/CS peut être expliquée par la toxicité propre du chitosane. A forte concentration, le cas des nanoparticules de PLGA sans stabilisant mérite d'être noté, car elles n'induisent aucune cytotoxicité vis-à-vis des macrophages, contrairement aux nanoparticules stabilisées. La cytotoxicité des nanoparticules de TiO2 est plus importante, mais peu de dommages à la membrane sont causés. La réponse inflammatoire a été évaluée par la quantification des cytokines sécrétées après 24 h d'exposition aux nanoparticules (0,1 mg/mL). En mono-culture, seules les nanoparticules de PLGA/PF68 induisent une réponse inflammatoire sur les cellules A549, corrélée à leur plus grande internalisation. En co-culture, la réponse inflammatoire est peu prononcée. En revanche, ni les polymères de surface ni les nanoparticules de PLGA sans stabilisant, n'induisent de réponse inflammatoire spécifique.Ces résultats montrent la faible toxicité des nanoparticules de PLGA vis-à-vis des conditions alvéolaires, et soulignent l'importance du recouvrement de surface. En conclusion, les nanoparticules de PLGA testées présentent un fort intérêt pour une application biomédicale, modulée par l'ajustement des propriétés de surface.

Hypertension is associated with marked cardiac sympathetic over-activity and end organ hyper-responsiveness. The sympathetic dysfunction is caused by aberrant calcium (Ca²⁺) handling resulting in enhanced neurotransmission. However, it remains unclear whether the sympathetic neuron or the myocytes is the primary driver behind the initiation and maintenance of the autonomic phenotype. The work in this thesis characterises the Ca²⁺ dysfunction and regulation at the membrane level. Further, it employs physiologically coupled sympathetic neurons and ventricular myocytes to determine the cellular driver of cardiac dysautonomia in the pro-hypertensive state. <b>Chapter 1</b> provides a general overview of the field of autonomic hypertension with a specific focus on the sympathetic control of cardiac excitability. In particular, the role of Ca²⁺ and cyclic nucleotides in the facilitation of neurotransmission are explored. <b>Chapter 2</b> details the methods used in this thesis. It provides rationale for the approaches taken to record membrane Ca2+ currents, cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels and cAMP-activated protein kinase (PKA) activity, and the development and uses of a co-culture of coupled sympathetic neurons and ventricular myocytes. <b>Chapter 3</b> describes the successful development of an effective voltage clamp method to isolate whole cell Ca²⁺ currents in sympathetic neurons. It details the issue of space clamp problem when using this technique on peripheral neurons and provides experimental guidance on how to quantify and limit theses issues. <b>Chapter 4</b> identifies that the pro-hypertensive four-week old neurons from the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) have significantly larger whole cell Ca²⁺ currents when compared to normotensive (Wistar Kyoto-WKY) neurons, that are largely N-type in nature. Restoring the cGMP cyclic nucleotide dysfunction seen in these cells, rescues the ion channel phenotype and bring the Ca²⁺ down to levels seen in the normotensive WKY neuron. Further, it identifies that phosphodiesterase (PDE) 2A inhibition differentially affects the currents in the WKY and SHR, further supporting the notion of PDE2A dominance. <b>Chapter 5</b> identifies the presence and functional relevance of cGMP cross-talk with the cAMP-PKA pathway in sympathetic neurons. This cross talk is significantly altered in the pro-hypertensive state, via the differential involvement of PDEs. It functionally identifies the presence of PDE3 and PDE2A and provides further evidence that these enzymes could be dysregulated in pro-hypertensive neurons. <b>Chapter 6</b> describes the use of a co-culture model of ventricular myocytes and sympathetic neurons. Physiological stimulation of the sympathetic neuron with nicotine whilst monitoring cAMP levels in the myocytes confirms that the cellular phenotypes seen in the individual cells are functionally present in the co-culture. Using cross-cultures, it identifies the neuron as the principal driver behind the cardiac sympathetic responses observed in pro-hypertension. The results provide evidence for a dominant role played by the neuron in driving the adrenergic phenotype seen in cardiovascular disease and highlights the potential of using healthy neurons to turn down the gain of neurotransmission, akin to a smart pre-synaptic &beta;-blocker. <b>Chapter 7</b> forms the concluding discussion that summarises the main findings of this thesis and attempt to place it in a clinical context, and highlights avenues of further research. In particular, the possibility of using a cell therapeutic approach to treat sympathetic hyperactivity.

This thesis investigates the effects of co-culturing microorganisms including 37 yeast, 38 bacteria, nine diazotrophic cyanobacteria, and three fungi on biomass and lipid production in fresh- and saltwater algae. Algal lipid content was measured using Nile Red method and gravimetric techniques. Among the algal strains tested, freshwater Coelastrum sp. 46-4, and saltwater Cricosphaera sp. 146-2-9, showed enhanced biomass yield and lipid content in response to co-culture with bacteria, cyanobacteria, and fungi. While co-culture with yeast caused inhibition of algal productivity, no difference in algal productivity was observed between nitrogen-free diazotrophic cyanobacterial co-culture and nitrogen-replete monoalgal culture. Results indicated that extracellular compounds from the freshwater bacteria Pseudomonas stutzeri and marine fungus Fusarium sp. significantly account for stimulation of lipid accumulation within algal cells, while co-cultivation with live microorganism cells stimulated biomass production in algae.

Listeria monocytogenes é o agente causal da listeriose, uma doença que pode atingir mulheres grávidas (e seus fetos), crianças, idosos e indivíduos com o sistema imunológico comprometido, A listeriose representa a maioria dos casos de morte decorrente de toxinfecções alimentares. Os alimentos são reconhecidos como fontes primárias da transmissão desta bactéria para o homem e L. monocytogenes já foi isolada de uma grande variedade de alimentos. Superfícies de equipamentos utilizados na produção de alimentos também podem estar contaminadas com este patógeno. Falhas em procedimentos de higienização podem deixar resíduos nos equipamentos de processamento de alimentos e L. monocytogenes pode se aderir a superfícies abióticas e iniciar sua multiplicação, dando origem a biofilmes. A interação com bactérias de outras espécies pode influenciar na forma formação de biofilmes por L. monocytogenes, constituindo um aspecto importante de estudo para auxiliar no controle da contaminação de alimentos por esta bactéria. Leuconostoc mesenteroides é uma bactéria lática normalmente encontrada em alimentos e algumas cepas podem interferir na multiplicação de L. monocytogenes pela produção de bacteriocinas com atividade antilisterial. Os biofilmes representam uma preocupação para indústria de alimentos, pois geralmente os microorganismos aderidos apresentam maior capacidade de resistir a tratamentos antimicrobianos. Neste trabalho, foram coletadas 30 amostras de presunto cozido fatiado, 30 de mussarela fatiada e 30 de superfícies de equipamentos de fatiar alimentos, em estabelecimentos do comércio varejista de Ribeirão Preto SP. As amostras forma avaliadas quanto à presença ou ausência de L. monocytogenes e também foi estudada a capacidade dos isolados em formar biofilmes em cultura pura e em testes de co-cultura. O sanitizante ácido peracético e a bacteriocina nisina foram testados para controlar a formação de biofilme por L. monocytogenes. Os resultados obtidos mostram que os isolados de L. monocytogenes formaram biofilme em superfície de aço inoxidável quando cultivados isoladamente ou em testes de co-cultura com L.mesenteroides. O tratamento da lâmina com ácido peracético inativou todas as células presentes no biofilme. Nas condições utilizadas, nisina não apresentou atividade contra L.monocytogenes em biofilmes. / Listeria monocytogenes is the causal agent of listeriosis, an infection that targets mainly pregnant women (and their fetuses), children, the elderly and immunocompromised individuals. Listeriosis represents the majority of fatal cases of foodborne diseases. Foods are recognized as primary sources of transmission of this bacterium to man and L. monocytogenes has been isolated from of a great variety of foods. Surfaces of equipments used in the production of foods can harbour L. monocytogenes. Failures in sanitization procedures can leave food residues adhered to equipments of food processing and L. monocytogenes can attach to abiotic surfaces, multiply and form biofilms. Interactions among bacteria of diverse species may influence biofilm formation by L. monocytogenes and this is an important issue to be studied to improve food safety. Leuconostoc mesenteroides is a lactic bacterium usually found in foods and some strains can interfere with the multiplication of L. monocytogenes by production of bacteriocins with antilisterial activity. Biofilms represent a special concern to the food industry, because adhered microorganism are generally more resistant to antimicrobial treatments. In this work, we collected 30 samples of sliced cooked ham, 30 of sliced mozzarella cheese and 30 of surfaces of food processing equipments, in the retail market of the city of Ribeirão Preto - SP. The samples were studied for presence or absence of L. monocytogenes. The ability of the isolates to form biofilms was also studied, in pure and in co-culture tests. The sanitizer peracetic acid and the bacteriocin nisin were tested to control biofilm formation by L. monocytogenes. L. monocytogenes formed biofilm on stainless steel coupons when cultivated alone or in co-culture with L. mesenteroides. The treatment of stainless steel coupons with peracetic acid inactivated the cells of the biofilm. Under the experimental conditions tested nisin did not present activity against L. monocytogenes in biofilms.