Survival and persistence of Salmonella spp. on waste plastic and glass under laboratory conditions simulant of a peri-urban waste pile

Biofilm formation, persistence, pathogenicity, and die-off rates of Salmonella were investigated through controlled laboratory experiments. Biofilms were generated on various materials in nutrient-rich and surface water environments, quantified using crystal violet staining, and analysed in triplicate. Persistence was assessed by recovering Salmonella from biofilms over 28 days, followed by serial dilution, selective plating, and confirmatory PCR targeting the ttr gene.

Pathogenicity was evaluated using Galleria mellonella larvae, with standardised inoculation protocols and survival monitoring for 72 hours. Die-off rates were determined by log10 transformation of CFU counts and modelled using linear regression, with statistical analyses (ANOVA, Tukey post-hoc tests) to evaluate treatment effects. Data underwent thorough validation at each stage, including replication, selective media confirmation, and regression modelling, ensuring high reliability and accuracy before submission.