In this study, we examined the physiochemical properties of nasoenteral feeding tubes made from two different types of polymer: silicone materials and polyurethane. The internal surfaces of the nasoenteral feeding tubes were analyzed for their hydrophobicity, roughness, microtopography, rupture-tension and ability to stretch. We also studied the adhesion of an isolated, multi-drug resistant strain of S. aureus to these polymers. The polyurethane nasoenteral tube, which was classified as hydrophilic, was more resistant to rupture-tension and stretching tests than the silicone tube, which was classified as hydrophobic. Additionally, the polyurethane tube had a rougher surface than the silicone tube. Approximately 1.0 log CFU.cm-2 of S. aureus cells adhered to the tubes and this number was not statistically different between the two types of surfaces (p > 0.05). In future studies, new polymers for nasoenteral feeding tubes should be tested for their ability to support bacterial growth. Bacterial adhesion to these polymers can easily be reduced through modification of the polymer's physicochemical surface characteristics.

Foi observada a adesão de Bacillus cereus em superfície de aço inoxidável em contato com o leite, segundo o procedimento de limpeza, a sanitização e as propriedades físico-químicas da superfície. O número de B. cereus viáveis, após os procedimentos de higienização, foi afetado pela temperatura, pela concentração das soluções alcalinas e ácidas e pelo pH da solução clorada. A adesão de B. cereus em aço inoxidável não foi termodinamicamente favorável, e ocorreu pouca adesão desse microrganismo, de acordo com os aspectos termodinâmicos da adesão.

Bacillus cereus adherence to stainless steel used to milk contact surfaces was observed, depending on the cleaning and sanitizing procedures applied and the physicochemical properties of the surfaces. Numbers of surviving B. cereus after hygiene procedures were affected by temperature, the concentrations of both alkaline and acid washes, and the pH of the chlorine solution. The adhesion of B. cereus to the stainless steel was not thermodynamically favorable, and the adherence of this microorganism occurred in lower number, in accordance to the thermodynamic aspect of adhesion.