Biofilms are a problem to food industries, causing equipment damage, increased energy costs, and
food spoilage, and they are a potential harbour of pathogenic microorganisms. Their extreme antimicrobial
resistance means that novel control strategies are necessary. Plant secondary metabolites
(phyto-chemicals) have demonstrated promising antimicrobial properties when applied against
planktonic cells and biofilms. The aim of this study was to test the effectiveness of two phenolic acids:
ferulic (FA) and sali-cylic (SA), alone and in combination (FSA) on the prevention and control of Bacillus
cereus and Pseudomonas fluorescens biofilms. Additional tests were performed to ascertain the effects
of FA and SA on bacterial motility, surface properties (physicochemical properties and surface charge),
and quorum sensing inhibition (QSI). The effects of a concentration two times the minimum inhibitory
concentration (500 mg mL1
) were assessed on single- and dual-species biofilms. The results
demonstrated that only swimming was affected by FA and SA and no clear relationship was obtained
between the effects of phenolic acids on motility and biofilm prevention. The bacterial physicochemical
surface properties and charge were affected by the phenolic acids. Salicylic acid demonstrated
capacity for QSI. However, both bacteria were able to form single- and dual-species biofilms in
the presence of the phenolic acids. The application of FA and SA (single and combined) to biofilms
caused low to moderate inactivation and removal. However, dual-species biofilms formed in the
presence of phenolic acids were highly susceptible to a second exposure to the chemicals. The
continuous exposure of dual-species biofilms to the phenolic acids decreased their resilience and
resistance to inactivation and removal. This study clarifies the role of FA and SA in the prevention and
control of biofilms formed by two important food spoilage bacteria.