Pathiranage, S.U.Hasintha, K.V.D.M.Nadishani, H.C.Madushanka, D.N.N.Randika, J.L.P.C.Fernando, G.C.P.Jayaweera, T.S.P.Ruwandeepika, H.A.D.2022-08-222022-08-222021978-624-5856-04-6http://www.erepo.lib.uwu.ac.lk/bitstream/handle/123456789/9499/Page%2023%20-%20IRCUWU2021-426%20-Pathiranage-%20Effect%20of%20Temperature%20on%20Mono%20and%20Dual%20Species%20Biofilms%20Formed%20by%20Salmonella%2c%20E.%20coli.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=yBiofilms are microbial communities encased with self-producing extracellular matrix, composed with polysaccharide, DNA and protein. Persistent survival capability of these biofilms in food contact surfaces cause contamination of food batches and pose health risk among the public. The biofilm formation is affected by several environmental factors such as temperature and humidity etc. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of temperature on biofilms formed by Salmonella, E. coli and Proteus spp. when they are present as mono species and in combinations. Organisms were incubated at two different temperatures (280C and 370C) for 120 hr and biofilm formation was quantified using microtiter plate method at different time points as 24 hr, 48 hr, 72 hr, 96 hr and 120 hr. Biofilm formation at 24 hr by Proteus spp. with Salmonella and E. coli (i.e. Proteus with E. coli and Proteus with Salmonella) were higher in the temperature of 280C compared to 370C. There was no significant effect of temperature on mono species biofilm at 24hr incubation period. At 48 hr, biofilm formation by Salmonella together with Proteus and E. coli (Salmonella with E. coli and Proteus with Salmonella) and by Salmonella alone was higher at 280C than that of at 370C. At 48 hr, Proteus and E. coli alone did not exhibit significant (p > 0.05) difference in biofilm formation at 280C and 370C. At 72 and 96 hr, the biofilm formation by Proteus and Salmonella alone and Salmonella together with Proteus (Proteus with Salmonella) showed higher biofilm formation at 280C than at 370C. But Proteus with E. coli, Salmonella with E. coli or E. coli alone did not exhibit any significant (p > 0.05) effect of temperature. At 120 hr, all the organisms alone and their combinations showed significantly higher biofilm formation at 280C than at 370C. This study concluded that temperature and time significantly (p < 0.05) affect on biofilm formation by Salmonella, E. coli and Proteus spp. individually and as combinations. This study revealed that biofilm formation at 280C is higher than their optimal growth temperature (370C). Keywords: Biofilm; E. coli; Proteus; Salmonella; TemperatureenAgricultureCrop ProductionMicrobialSalmonellaOther