Characterisation of bacterial adhesion and removal in a flow chamber by micromanipulation measurements

Sustainable treatment scheme for in-situ remediation of contaminated drains using engineered natural systems

Ensuring water security in resource-constrained, densely populated regions is a significant challenge globally. Due to insufficient treatment infrastructure, untreated sewage discharge into drainage channels is prevalent, especially in developing countries. This leads to the pollution of already dwindling water bodies and threatens future water availability. In this context, in-situ treatment within drains using nature-based systems is an attractive option. This study evaluates microbial bioremediation and phytoremediation as engineered natural solutions for in-stream treatment of municipal wastewater. A three-stage treatment system consisting of anoxic biofilm, aerobic biofilm, and hydroponic floating wetlands was adopted. Each stage was optimized for operational parameters through batch and continuous flow studies. The anoxic biofilm system using autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) as the attachment media, at an optimized hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 2 h, showed the best performance with respect to COD removal. Comparable COD removal was observed in both externally aerated and non-aerated aerobic biofilm systems with coir fibre at 6 h HRT. However, aerated system outperformed non-aerated system at low HRTs. The hydroponic system with Canna indica effectively removed residual ammonia-N with an HRT of 2 h. The sequential continuous flow studies employing the optimized conditions showed significant removals of COD (86%) and ammonia-N (97.6%). The results highlight that locally available materials having a high specific surface area can be used as biofilm supports for COD removal, and floating wetlands employing indigenous macrophytes can be an ideal choice for in-situ nutrient removal. The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) showed that the developed system did not have direct significant impacts on freshwater eco-toxicity and eutrophication. The proposed hybrid treatment system can be implemented as modular units without major drainage modifications or energy-intensive operations. The study, therefore, finds potential application in densely populated settlements in low-income countries where systematic sewage treatment options remain inadequate.

Antibacterial Effect of Functionalized Polymeric Nanoparticles on Titanium Surfaces Using an In Vitro Subgingival Biofilm Model

This investigation aimed to evaluate the antibacterial effect of polymeric nanoparticles (NPs), functionalized with calcium, zinc, or doxycycline, using a subgingival biofilm model of six bacterial species (Streptococcus oralis,Actinomyces naeslundii, Veillonela parvula, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans) on sandblasted, large grit, acid-etched titanium discs (TiDs). Undoped NPs (Un-NPs) or doped NPs with calcium (Ca-NPs), zinc (Zn-NPs), or doxycycline (Dox-NPs) were applied onto the TiD surfaces. Uncovered TiDs were used as negative controls. Discs were incubated under anaerobic conditions for 12, 24, 48, and 72 h. The obtained biofilm structure was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and its vitality and thickness by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Quantitative polymerase chain reaction of samples was used to evaluate the bacterial load. Data were evaluated by analysis of variance (p < 0.05) and post hoc comparisons with Bonferroni adjustments (p < 0.01). As compared with uncovered TiDs, Dox-NPs induced higher biofilm mortality (47.21% and 85.87%, respectively) and reduced the bacterial load of the tested species, after 72 h. With SEM, scarce biofilm formation was observed in Dox-NPs TiDs. In summary, Dox-NPs on TiD reduced biofilm vitality, bacterial load, and altered biofilm formation dynamics.

Biofilm formation by the oral pioneer colonizer Streptococcus gordonii: an experimental and numerical study

For decades, extensive research efforts have been conducted to improve the functionality and stability of implants. Especially in dentistry, implant treatment has become a standard medical practice. The treatment restores full dental functionality, helping patients to maintain high quality of life. However, about 10% of the patients suffer from early and late device failure due to peri-implantitis, an inflammatory disease of the tissues surrounding the implant. Peri-implantitis is caused by progressive microbial colonization of the device surface and the formation of microbial communities, so-called biofilms. This infection can ultimately lead to implant failure. The causative agents for the inflammatory disease, periodontal pathogenic biofilms, have already been extensively studied, but are still not completely understood. As numerical simulations will have the potential to predict oral biofilm formation precisely in the future, for the first time, this study aimed to analyze Streptococcus gordonii biofilms by combining experimental studies and numerical simulation. The study demonstrated that numerical simulation was able to precisely model the influence of different nutrient concentration and spatial distribution of active and inactive biomass of the biofilm in comparison with the experimental data. This model may provide a less time-consuming method for the future investigation of any bacterial biofilm.

Modulation of the mechanical properties of bacterial biofilms in response to environmental challenges

In this review, we highlight recent research on the relationship between biofilm matrix composition, biofilm mechanics and environmental stimuli.

Selected metal ions protect Bacillus subtilis biofilms from erosion

Many problems caused by bacterial biofilms can be traced back to their high resilience towards chemical perturbations and their extraordinary sturdiness towards mechanical forces. However, the molecular mechanisms that link the mechanical properties of a biofilm with the ability of bacteria to survive in different chemical environments remain enigmatic. Here, we study the erosion stability of Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) biofilms in the presence of different chemical environments. We find that these biofilms can utilize the absorption of certain metal ions such as Cu(2+), Zn(2+), Fe(2+), Fe(3+) and Al(3+) into the biofilm matrix to avoid erosion by shear forces. Interestingly, many of these metal ions are toxic for planktonic B. subtilis bacteria. However, their toxic activity is suppressed when the ions are absorbed into the biofilm matrix. Our experiments clearly demonstrate that the biofilm matrix has to fulfill a dual function, i.e. regulating both the mechanical properties of the biofilm and providing a selective barrier towards toxic chemicals.

Metal nanobullets for multidrug resistant bacteria and biofilms

Infectious diseases were one of the major causes of mortality until now because drug-resistant bacteria have arisen under broad use and abuse of antibacterial drugs. These multidrug-resistant bacteria pose a major challenge to the effective control of bacterial infections and this threat has prompted the development of alternative strategies to treat bacterial diseases. Recently, use of metallic nanoparticles (NPs) as antibacterial agents is one of the promising strategies against bacterial drug resistance. This review first describes mechanisms of bacterial drug resistance and then focuses on the properties and applications of metallic NPs as antibiotic agents to deal with antibiotic-sensitive and -resistant bacteria. We also provide an overview of metallic NPs as bactericidal agents combating antibiotic-resistant bacteria and their potential in vivo toxicology for further drug development.

Influence of support material properties on the potential selection of Archaea during initial adhesion of a methanogenic consortium

In anaerobic wastewater treatment systems, the complex microbial biomass including Archaea and Bacteria can be retained as a biofilm attached to solid supports. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of specific properties of support material on early microbial adhesion. Seven different substrata are described in terms of topography and surface energy. Adhesion of a methanogenic consortium to these substrata was tested, the adhesion was quantified as a percentage of the surface area covered and the bacterial and archaeal community structures was assessed by molecular fingerprinting profiles (CE-SSCP). As expected, the overall adhesion on the supports was influenced mainly by total surface energy. Moreover, the adhered communities were different from the parent inocula, including the Archaea/Bacteria ratio. This could have a significant impact on the start-up of anaerobic digesters for which supports favoring Archaea adhesion, responsible for the limiting reaction of the process, should be preferred.

Antagonism between Bacillus cereus and Pseudomonas fluorescens in planktonic systems and in biofilms

In the environment, many microorganisms coexist in communities competing for resources, and they are often associated as biofilms. The investigation of bacterial ecology and interactions may help to improve understanding of the ability of biofilms to persist. In this study, the behaviour of Bacillus cereus and Pseudomonas fluorescens in the planktonic and sessile states was compared. Planktonic tests were performed with single and dual species cultures in growth medium with and without supplemental FeCl3. B. cereus and P. fluorescens single cultures had equivalent growth behaviours. Also, when in co-culture under Fe-supplemented conditions, the bacteria coexisted and showed similar growth profiles. Under Fe limitation, 8 h after co-culture and over time, the number of viable B. cereus cells decreased compared with P. fluorescens. Spores were detected during the course of the experiment, but were not correlated with the decrease in the number of viable cells. This growth inhibitory effect was correlated with the release of metabolite molecules by P. fluorescens through Fe-dependent mechanisms. Biofilm studies were carried out with single and dual species using a continuous flow bioreactor rotating system with stainless steel (SS) substrata. Steady-state biofilms were exposed to a series of increasing shear stress forces. Analysis of the removal of dual species biofilms revealed that the outer layer was colonised mainly by B. cereus. This bacterium was able to grow in the outermost layers of the biofilm due to the inhibitory effect of P. fluorescens being decreased by the exposure of the cells to fresh culture medium. B. cereus also constituted the surface primary coloniser due to its favourable adhesion to SS. P. fluorescens was the main coloniser of the middle layers of the biofilm. Single and dual species biofilm removal data also revealed that B. cereus biofilms had the highest physical stability, followed by P. fluorescens biofilms. This study highlights the inadequacy of planktonic systems to mimic the behaviour of bacteria in biofilms and shows how the culturing system affects the action of antagonist metabolite molecules because dilution and consequent loss of activity occurred in continuously operating systems. Furthermore, the data demonstrate the biocontrol potential of P. fluorescens on the planktonic growth of B. cereus and the ability of the two species to coexist in a stratified biofilm structure.