Kit for detecting biofilms

Abstract

The invention relates to a kit for detecting biofilms, which is in particular compatible with the agri-food industry and comprises a biofilm staining solution containing a stain in solution in a dilution phase compatible with the agri-food industry, wherein said stain is Coomassie blue, and a cleaning solution comprising said dilution phase.

1 . A kit for detecting biofilms, in particular compatible with the agri-food industry, comprising:
 a biofilm staining solution containing a stain in solution in a dilution phase compatible with the agri-food industry, wherein said stain is Coomassie blue,   a cleaning solution comprising said dilution phase.   
     
     
         2 . The kit for detecting biofilms according to  claim 1 , further comprising a bleaching composition compatible with the agri-food industry. 
     
     
         3 . The kit for detecting biofilms according to  claim 1 , wherein said bleaching composition is an aqueous solution of an oxidizing agent. 
     
     
         4 . The kit for detecting biofilms according to  claim 1 , wherein said bleaching composition is a solid phase of an oxidizing agent. 
     
     
         5 . The kit for detecting biofilms according to  claim 1 , said oxidizing agent is chosen from the group consisting of sodium percarbonate, sodium hypochlorite, hydrogen peroxide, perborates, persulfates, or peroxides, or mixtures and derivatives thereof, for example such as urea percarbamate. 
     
     
         6 . The kit for detecting biofilms according to  claim 1 , wherein said dilution phase comprises from 35 to 55%, preferably from 40 to 50%, still more preferably approximately 45% by volume of ethanol, in particular absolute ethanol, relative to the final volume of said dilution phase, from 7 to 13%, preferably from 8 to 12%, more particularly approximately 10% by volume of acetic acid, in particular glacial acetic acid, relative to the final volume of said dilution phase, and from 35 to 55%, preferably from 40 to 50%, more preferably approximately 45% by volume of water, relative to the final volume of said dilution phase. 
     
     
         7 . A method for detecting biofilms, in particular using the kit according to  claim 1 , comprising the following steps:
 vaporizing a biofilm staining solution containing a stain in solution in a dilution phase compatible with the agri-food industry, in which said stain is Coomassie blue, on a surface that may be contaminated by a biofilm,   staining said biofilm for a predetermined period of time with said staining solution,   vaporizing a cleaning solution,   diluting said excess staining solution using the cleaning solution during a predetermined period of time, and   detecting said biofilm by observing residual areas colored with Coomassie blue corresponding to biofilms colored by said stain.   
     
     
         8 . The method for detecting biofilms according to  claim 7 , wherein one or more of the steps chosen from the group consisting of the step for vaporizing said staining solution, vaporizing said cleaning solution, and detecting said biofilm is preceded by a step for rinsing with water. 
     
     
         9 . The method for detecting biofilms according to  claim 7 , further comprising a step for bleaching said residual areas stained with Coomassie blue by applying a bleaching composition. 
     
     
         10 . The method for detecting biofilms according to  claim 9 , wherein said bleaching step is carried out by applying a solid bleaching composition, in particular powdered, of an oxidizing agent, on the surface to be treated, previously wetted to favor activation of the oxidizing agent. 
     
     
         11 . The method for detecting biofilms according to  claim 9 , wherein said bleaching step is carried out by applying a liquid bleaching composition of an oxidizing agent. 
     
     
         12 . The method according  claim 7 , wherein said predetermined period of time is comprised between 3 and 15 minutes, preferably between 4 and 10 minutes, and is generally approximately 5 minutes. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein said surface that may be contaminated by a biofilm is an open surface of an installation, in particular an installation in the agri-food industry. 
     
     
         14 . A use of a solution for staining biofilms containing a stain in solution in a dilution phase compatible with the agri-food industry, in which said stain is Coomassie blue, on a surface that may be contaminated by a biofilm, preferably on an open surface, in particular in an installation in the agri-food industry.