Biofilm: The dark side of bacteria

Nowadays, microbial contaminations are the main challenge for food industries having consistent sanitary implications on public health and economic aspects. At this purpose, the biofilm, defined as bacterial structured communities, represents real environmental resistance forms both in nature and at the industrial level. It involves both pathogenic and commensal bacteria that produce extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) named as matrix which is a physical barrier to the external world (e.g., protection from biocides’ exposure, antimicrobials, etc.). The biofilm formation can be influenced by many variables e.g., surface characteristics, pH, temperature, and organic residues. When biofilm gains the irreversible step, its structural complexity is enforced by a solid communication performed through the quorum sensing. Therefore, this review wants to provide an overview about the main mechanisms and the potential impacts of biofilm productions among industrial realities also empathizing innovative and sustainable approaches for its control and prevention.