Influence of extracellular polymeric substances on deposition and redeposition of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to surfaces

A novel approach for the fractionation of organic components and microbial degraders in ADM1 and model validation based on the methanogenic potential

The anaerobic digestion model No 1 (ADM1), with fixed fractions of the substrate components, is currently used to simulate methane production during the anaerobic digestion (AD) of waste activated sludge (WAS). However, the goodness-of-fit for the simulation is not ideal due to the different characteristics of WAS from different regions. In this study, a novel methodology based on a modern instrumental analysis and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis for the fractionation of organic components and microbial degraders in the WAS is investigated to modify the fractions of the components in the ADM1. The combination of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analyses were used to achieve a rapid and accurate fractionation of the primary organic matters in the WAS that was verified using both the sequential extraction method and the excitation-emission matrix (EEM). The protein, carbohydrate, and lipid contents in the four different sludge samples measured using the above combined instrumental analyses were 25.0 - 50.0%, 2.0 - 10.0%, and 0.9 - 2.3%. The microbial diversity based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis was utilized to re-set the initial fractions of the microbial degraders in the ADM1. A batch experiment was utilized to further calibrate the kinetic parameters in the ADM1. Based on the above optimization of the stoichiometric and kinetic parameters, the ADM1 with full parameter modification for WAS (ADM1-FPM) simulated the methane production of the WAS very well with a Theil's inequality coefficient (TIC) of 0.049, which was increased by 89.8% than that of the default ADM1 fit. The proposed approach, with its rapid and reliable performance, demonstrated a strong application potential for the fractionation of organic solid waste and the modification of ADM1, which contributed to a better simulation of methane production during the AD of organic solid wastes.

EPS for bacterial anti-adhesive properties investigated on a model metal surface

Understanding Extracellular Polymeric Substances (EPS) interaction on a well-defined chromium surface is of importance especially for biocorrosion processes. Adsorption of EPS extracted from Pseudoalteromonas NCIMB 2021 on Cr surfaces was investigated using in situ quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). We show that EPS adsorption is an irreversible process. The amount of adsorbed EPS increases with increasing EPS concentration in solution. For low EPS concentration, the surface is only partially covered by EPS, whereas a continuous organic film of around 15 nm is formed at the surface for high EPS concentrations. An in-depth structuration of this organic layer is evidenced with a strong enrichment of proteins in the inner part and of polysaccharides in the outer part. Adhesion of Pseudoalteromonas NCIMB 2021 has been tested on Cr surfaces covered or not by EPS extracted from Pseudoalteromonas NCIMB 2021. EPS conditioning with a 15 nm film inhibits bacterial adhesion on Cr, showing that this organic film has efficient anti-adhesive properties.

Behavior of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains on the nanopillar topography of dragonfly (Pantala flavescens) wing under flow conditions

Bacterial associated infection is a threat in the medical field. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, one of the major causative agents for nosocomial infection, has developed resistance to almost all the classes of antibiotics. Recently, nanopillar-like structures were identified on the wings of insects such as cicada and dragonfly. Nanopillars both on natural surfaces and those mimicked on artificial surfaces were reported to possess bactericidal activity against a wide range of bacteria. An earlier study reported strain specific variation in the viability of P. aeruginosa on the nanopillar topography of a dragonfly wing under static condition. Here, we report the behavior of P. aeruginosa strains on a dragonfly wing under hydrodynamic conditions. The results of the study indicated that, under hydrodynamic conditions, P. aeruginosa PAO1 was attached in higher numbers to the wing surface than P. aeruginosa ATCC 9027 but killed in lower numbers. The plausible reason was identified to be the masking of nanopillars by the secreted extracellular polysaccharide. The shear rate of 1.0 s^-1 showed a relatively higher bactericidal effect among the three tested shear rates.

Not Only Antimicrobial: Metronidazole Mitigates the Virulence of Proteus mirabilis Isolated from Macerated Diabetic Foot Ulcer

Diabetic foot ulcers are recognized to be a severe complication of diabetes, increasing the risk of amputation and death. The bacterial infection of Diabetic foot ulcers with virulent and resistant bacteria as Proteus mirabilis greatly worsens the wound and may not be treated with conventional therapeutics. Developing new approaches to target bacterial virulence can be helpful to conquer such infections. In the current work, we evaluated the anti-virulence activities of the widely used antibacterial metronidazole. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimum biofilm eradication concentrations (MEBC) were determined for selected antibiotics which P. mirabilis was resistant to them in the presence and absence of metronidazole in sub-MIC. The effect of metronidazole in sub-MIC on P. mirabilis virulence factors as production of exoenzymes, motilities, adhesion and biofilm formation, were evaluated. Furthermore, molecular docking of metronidazole into P. mirabilis adhesion and essential quorum sensing (QS) proteins, was performed. The results revealed a significant ability of metronidazole to in-vitro inhibit P. mirabilis virulence factors and antagonize its essential proteins. Moreover, metronidazole markedly decreased the MICs and MBECs of tested antibiotics. Conclusively, metronidazole in sub-MIC is a plausible anti-virulence and anti-QS agent that can be combined to other antibiotics as anti-virulence adjuvant to defeat aggressive infections.

Periphytic biofilms accumulate manganese, intercepting its emigration from paddy soil

Manganese (Mn) in acidic paddy soil has large potential in emigrating from the soil and pollute adjacent ecosystems. Single microorganisms modulate the biogeochemistry process of Mn via redox reactions, while the roles of microbial aggregates (e.g. periphytic biofilm) in modulating its biogeochemical cycle is poorly constrained. Here we collected a series of periphytic biofilms from acidic paddy fields in China to explore how periphytic biofilm regulates Mn behavior in paddy fields. We found that periphytic biofilms have large Mn accumulation potential: Mn contents in periphytic biofilm ranged from 176 ± 38 to 797 ± 271 mg/kg, which were 1.2-4.5 folds higher than that in the corresponding soils. Field experiments verified the Mn accumulation potential, underlining the biofilms function as natural barriers to intercept Mn emigrating from soil. Extracellular polymeric substances, especially the protein component, mediated adsorption was the main mechanism behind Mn accumulation by periphytic biofilm. Microorganisms in periphytic biofilms in general appeared to have inhibitory effects on Mn accumulation. Climatic conditions and nutrients in floodwater and soil affect the microorganisms, thus indirectly affecting Mn accumulation in periphytic biofilms. This study provides quantitative information on the extent to which microbial aggregates modulate the biogeochemistry of Mn in paddy fields.

Reduction of Biofilm Formation on Cooling Tower Heat Exchangers using Nano-silica Coating : Environmentally sustainable antifouling coating demonstrated on stainless steel heat exchanger tubes

Cooling towers are industrial cooling units operating to dissipate heat. As with any surface in contact with aqueous systems, biofilm formation appears on the surface of heat exchangers. Although biofilm formation on plastic tower fill in wet cooling towers has been studied widely, no studies were found regarding biofilm formation on steel heat exchangers in closed-loop systems. In this study, heat exchangers were coated with nano-silica, which is known to reduce the formation of biofilm. Natural biofilm formation was monitored for six months. Biofouling was examined monthly using epifluorescence microscopy by assessing the numbers of live and dead bacteria. It was observed that the biofilm layer formed on the nano-silica coated heat exchanger surfaces was significantly lower than on the control surfaces. 3 log microbial reduction was recorded on coated surfaces in the first month. After six months, total biomass on control surfaces reached 1.28 × 1012 cell cm−2, while the biomass on nano-silica coated surfaces was 6.3 × 104 cell cm−2.

Characterization of the biofilm grown on 304L stainless steel in urban wastewaters: extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and bacterial consortia

Characterization of the biofilm growing on stainless steel (SS) in untreated (UTUWW) and treated (TUWW) urban wastewaters was performed. In both media, the first phase of biofilm growth was aerobic, when the genera Caldimonas, Caulobacter, Terriglobus and Edaphobacter (iron oxidizing bacteria [IOB]) and the genera Bacillus, Sulfurimonas, Syntrophobacter and Desulfobacter (sulfur oxidizing bacteria [SOB]) were identified. In the second phase, established after immersion for 7 days, the high amount of EPS inhibited the access of oxygen and promoted the growth of anaerobic bacteria, which were the genus Shewanella (iron-reducing bacterium [IRB]) and the genera Desulfovirga, Desulfovibrio, Desulfuromusa, Desulfococcus, and Desulfosarcina (sulfate-reducing bacteria [SRB]). Electrochemical measurements showed that in the first stage, the aerobic bacteria and the high amount of EPS delayed the cathodic reduction of oxygen. However, in the second stage, EPS and the anaerobic bacteria promoted anodic dissolution.

Removal of Bacteria from Solids by Bubbles: Effect of Solid Wettability, Interaction Geometry, and Liquid-Vapor Interface Velocity

Air bubbles are a promising means of controlling fouling for a range of applications, particularly delaying fouling in marine environments. This work investigates the mechanism by which the collision of an air bubble with a solid removes adsorbed bacteria. A key feature of the work is that the numbers of bacteria were monitored via video microscopy throughout the collision; so, we were able to explore the mechanism of bacteria removal. When a bubble collides with a solid, an air-liquid interface crosses the solid twice, and we were able to distinguish the effects of the first and second air-liquid interfaces. The bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa was allowed to adhere to smooth poly(dimethylsiloxane) and then a collision with a bubble was investigated for one of three different approach geometries: perpendicular, parallel, and oscillating parallel to the solid surface. Other factors examined were the speed of the bubble, the duration of bacterial adhesion on the solid surface, and the wettability of the solid. Surface wettability was identified as the most significant factor. When the solid dewet, almost all bacteria were removed from hydrophobic surfaces upon the passage of the first air-liquid interface. In contrast, when a thin liquid film remained between the solid and the bubble (a hydrophilic solid), variable amounts of bacteria remained. Although almost all bacteria were initially removed from hydrophobic solids, many bacteria were redeposited on hydrophobic surfaces upon the passage of the second air-liquid interface, especially when the first and second air-liquid interfaces moved in opposite directions. As described previously, a lower velocity of the bubble allows more time for the thin liquid film to drain and improved removal efficiency on hydrophilic solids. A rougher solid (8 μm diameter hemispherical protrusions) decreased the detachment efficiency because bacteria and liquid were able to shelter in concavities.

Sphingomonas paucimobilis-related bone and soft-tissue infections: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Sphingomonas paucimobilis is an emerging opportunistic bacterium with a particular tropism toward bones and soft tissues. It is a gram-negative rod that can infect immunosuppressed or immunocompetent individuals in the community or hospital settings. Prognosis of infected patients is generally good, but morbidity and mortality cases have both been documented.

OBJECTIVES

To present and discuss all reported Sphingomonas paucimobilis-mediated bone and soft-tissue infections, and shed light upon the relevance of this organism in orthopaedic surgery.

DATA SOURCES

Pubmed and Cochrane Library.

STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Studies reporting at least one human bone or soft-tissue infection due to Sphingomonas paucimobilis.

RESULTS

Ten articles describing 19 patients met the inclusion criteria. Common infections included osteomyelitis, cellulitis, and septic arthritis. Fifteen patients (78.9%) had community-acquired diseases. All patients were successfully treated with antibiotic therapy and only one (5.3%) had a residual complication.

LIMITATIONS

The study included a small sample size presenting with bone or soft-tissue infections. Some cases had lacking data.

CONCLUSION

Despite being associated with a good prognosis in most cases, Sphingomonas paucimobilis-related orthopaedic infections may exhibit some complications.

Hydrolysis, adsorption, and biodegradation of bensulfuron methyl under methanogenic conditions

Bensulfuron methyl (BSM), one of the most widely used herbicides in paddy soils, is frequently detected in natural and artificial aquatic systems. However, BSM transformation under methanogenic conditions has not been given sufficient attention. In this study, BSM elimination and transformation by anaerobic enrichment cultures were investigated. The results showed that BSM can be mineralized to methane through hydrolysis, adsorption, and biodegradation under a methanogenic environment. The adsorption led to protein static quenching in the extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs) of the enrichment cultures. Specifically, BSM mainly reacted with the amine, amide, amino acid, and amino sugar functional groups in proteins. BSM hydrolysis and biodegradation occurred through the breakage of the sulfonylurea bridge and sulfonyl amide linkage. The cleavage of the sulfonylurea bridge occurred in both hydrolysis and biodegradation, while the cleavage of the sulfonyl amide linkage only occurred in hydrolysis. These results elucidated the complex transformation of BSM under methanogenic conditions, which will advance the studies on sulfonylurea herbicide biotransformation and hazard assessment in the environment.

Atomic force microscopy studies of bioprocess engineering surfaces - imaging, interactions and mechanical properties mediating bacterial adhesion

The detrimental effect of bacterial biofilms on process engineering surfaces is well documented. Thus, interest in the early stages of bacterial biofilm formation; in particular bacterial adhesion and the production of anti-fouling coatings has grown exponentially as a field. During this time, Atomic force microscopy (AFM) has emerged as a critical tool for the evaluation of bacterial adhesion. Due to its versatility AFM offers not only insight into the topographical landscape and mechanical properties of the engineering surfaces, but elucidates, through direct quantification the topographical and biomechnical properties of the foulants The aim of this review is to collate the current research on bacterial adhesion, both theoretical and practical, and outline how AFM as a technique is uniquely equipped to provide further insight into the nanoscale world at the bioprocess engineering surface.

Quantitative Effects of Biochar Oxidation and Pyrolysis Temperature on the Transport of Pathogenic and Nonpathogenic Escherichia coli in Biochar-Amended Sand Columns

The present study quantifies the transport of Escherichia coli pathogenic O157:H7 and nonpathogenic K12 strains in water-saturated Quincy sand (QS) columns amended with oxidized (OX) or unoxidized (UO) pine wood (PW) or pine bark (PB) biochar produced at either 350 or 600 °C. Our results showed that (1) the addition of oxidized biochar into QS columns enhanced the transport of E. coli O157:H7 by 3.1 fold compared to the unoxidized counterparts, likely because of an increase in the repulsive forces due to their higher negative charge densities. (2) The retention of E. coli O157:H7 was 3.3 fold higher than that of E. coli K12 in all biochar-amended sand columns. (3) Increased application rates of unoxidized PW600 biochar from 0 to 20 wt % led to a reduction in the transport of E. coli O157:H7 and K12 from 98 to 10% and from 95 to 70%, respectively. Our data showed that mixing sand with PW350-UO at a 20 wt % application rate almost completely retained the pathogenic E. coli in the subsurface, suggesting that utilizing sand mixed with biochar can act as a promising biofilter capable of protecting natural aquafers from pathogens.

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Biofilms and Their Influence on Bacterial Adhesion and Cohesion

Twenty-five methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates were characterized by staphylococcal protein A gene typing and the ability to form biofilms. The presence of exopolysaccharides, proteins, and extracellular DNA and RNA in biofilms was assessed by a dispersal assay. In addition, cell adhesion to surfaces and cell cohesion were evaluated using the packed-bead method and mechanical disruption, respectively. The predominant genotype was spa type t127 (22 out of 25 isolates); the majority of isolates were categorized as moderate biofilm producers. Twelve isolates displayed PIA-independent biofilm formation, while the remaining 13 isolates were PIA-dependent. Both groups showed strong dispersal in response to RNase and DNase digestion followed by proteinase K treatment. PIA-dependent biofilms showed variable dispersal after sodium metaperiodate treatment, whereas PIA-independent biofilms showed enhanced biofilm formation. There was no correlation between the extent of biofilm formation or biofilm components and the adhesion or cohesion abilities of the bacteria, but the efficiency of adherence to glass beads increased after biofilm depletion. In conclusion, nucleic acids and proteins formed the main components of the MRSA clone t127 biofilm matrix, and there seems to be an association between adhesion and cohesion in the biofilms tested.

Nutrient capture and recycling by periphyton attached to modified agrowaste carriers

The reuse of periphytic biofilm from traditional wastewater treatment (i.e., active sludge process) is inefficient to recycle nutrients due to low accumulation of nutrients. Then, in this study, peanut shell (PS), rice husk (RH), decomposed peanut shell (DPS), acidified rice husks (ARH), and a commonly used carrier-ceramsite (C, as the control)-were used to support the growth of periphyton. Results showed that DPS and ARH supported significantly higher periphyton biomass and metabolic versatility than PS and RH, respectively, due to the increased presence of positive groups. The total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) captured by periphyton were enhanced by 600-657 and 833-3255 % for DPS, and 461-1808 and 21-308 % for ARH, respectively. The removal of nutrients from simulated eutrophic surface waters using periphyton attached to DPS was improved by 24-47 % for TP, 12-048 % for TN, and 15-78 % for nitrate compared to the control. The results indicate that the periphyton attached to modified agrowaste was capable of efficiently entrapping and storing N and P from eutrophic water. This study also implies that the mixture of periphyton and the modified agrowaste carriers are promising raw materials of biofertilizer.

Comparison of the properties of periphyton attached to modified agro-waste carriers

Periphyton is a valuable, environmentally benign resource widely used in environmental remediation. A protocol for reusing agro-wastes to improve the metabolic activity and versatility of periphyton was tested in this study. Peanut shell (PS), decomposed peanut shell (DPS), acidified peanut shell (APS), rice husks (RHs), acidified rice husks (ARHs), and a commonly used synthetic carrier, ceramsite (C), were used to support periphyton attachment and growth. The results show that the modified carriers have more hydrophilic groups, higher periphyton biomass, and autotrophic indices than the unmodified carriers. As a consequence, they promote the metabolic versatility of periphyton microbial communities. Thus, the periphyton attached to modified agro-wastes (DPS, APS, and ARH) grew in a stable and sustainable manner. This study suggests that modified PS and RH are effective and environmentally benign carriers that enhance periphyton activity and functionality. Development of periphytic carriers using agro-wastes is also a sustainable method of reusing these materials.

Proteins dominate in the surface layers formed on materials exposed to extracellular polymeric substances from bacterial cultures

The chemical compositions of the surface conditioning layers formed by different types of solutions (from isolated EPS to whole culture media), involving different bacterial strains relevant for biocorrosion were compared, as they may influence the initial step in biofilm formation. Different substrata (polystyrene, glass, steel) were conditioned and analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Peak decomposition and assignment were validated by correlations between independent spectral data and the ubiquitous presence of organic contaminants on inorganic substrata was taken into account. Proteins or peptides were found to be a major constituent of all conditioning layers and polysaccharides were not present in appreciable concentrations; the proportion of nitrogen which may be due to DNA was lower than 15%. There was no significant difference between the compositions of the adlayers formed from different conditioning solutions, except for the adlayers produced with tightly bound EPS extracted from D. alaskensis.

Control of Biofilms with the Fatty Acid Signaling Molecule cis-2-Decenoic Acid

Biofilms are complex communities of microorganisms in organized structures attached to surfaces. Importantly, biofilms are a major cause of bacterial infections in humans, and remain one of the most significant challenges to modern medical practice. Unfortunately, conventional therapies have shown to be inadequate in the treatment of most chronic biofilm infections based on the extraordinary innate tolerance of biofilms to antibiotics. Antagonists of quorum sensing signaling molecules have been used as means to control biofilms. QS and other cell-cell communication molecules are able to revert biofilm tolerance, prevent biofilm formation and disrupt fully developed biofilms, albeit with restricted effectiveness. Recently however, it has been demonstrated that Pseudomonas aeruginosa produces a small messenger molecule cis-2-decenoic acid (cis-DA) that shows significant promise as an effective adjunctive to antimicrobial treatment of biofilms. This molecule is responsible for induction of the native biofilm dispersion response in a range of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria and in yeast, and has been shown to reverse persistence, increase microbial metabolic activity and significantly enhance the cidal effects of conventional antimicrobial agents. In this manuscript, the use of cis-2-decenoic acid as a novel agent for biofilm control is discussed. Stimulating the biofilm dispersion response as a novel antimicrobial strategy holds significant promise for enhanced treatment of infections and in the prevention of biofilm formation.

Characterization of microfouling and corrosive bacterial community of a firewater distribution system

This investigation provides generic information on the culturable corrosive and the microfouling bacterial community in a firewater distribution system that uses freshwater. Conventional microbiological methods were used for the selective isolation of the major microfouling bacteria. The isolates were characterized by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and the biofilm as well as the corrosion characteristics of the isolates were evaluated. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus cereus were predominantly observed in all the samples analysed. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) was carried out for the various samples of firewater system (FWS) and the high intensity bands were sequenced to identify the predominant bacteria. Bacterial groups such as Cyanobacteria, Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes were identified. Biofilm thickness was recorded using confocal scanning laser microscopy (CSLM). This was the first study to report Lysinibacillus fusiformis in a firewater system and its role in iron corrosion. Sulphidogenic bacteria Tissierella sp. and Clostridium bifermentans generated sulphides in the range of 400-900 ppm. Significant corrosion rates of carbon steel (CS) coupons were observed up to 4.3 mpy. C. bifermentans induced more localized corrosion in CS with a pit diameter of 50 μm. Overall, the data on the characterization of the fouling bacteria, their biofilm forming potential and subsequent metal deterioration studies supported in designing an effective water treatment program.

Biofouling of reverse osmosis membranes: positively contributing factors of Sphingomonas

In the present study, we investigate the possible contribution of Sphingomonas spp. glycosphingolipids (GSL) and its extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) to the initial colonization and development of biofilm bodies on reverse osmosis (RO) membranes. A combination of an RO cross-flow membrane lab unit, a quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D), and a rear stagnation point flow (RSPF) system with either model bacteria (Sphingomonas wittichii, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) or vesicles made of the bacterial GSL or LPS was used. Results showed noticeable differences in the adhesion LPS versus GSL vesicles in the QCM-D, with the latter exhibiting 50% higher adhesion to polyamide coated crystals (mimicking an RO membrane surface). A similar trend was observed for EPS extracted from S. wittichii, when compared to the adhesion tendency of EPS extracted from P. aeruginosa. By applying the whole-cell approach in the RO lab unit, the cumulative impact of S. wittichii cells composing GSL and probably their EPS reduced the permeate flux during bacterial accumulation on the membrane surface. Experiments were conducted with the same amount of Sphingomonas spp. or Escherichia coli cells resulting in a two times greater flux decline in the presence of S. wittichii. The distinct effects of Sphingomonas spp. on RO membrane biofouling are likely a combination of GSL presence (known for enhancing adhesion when compared to non-GSL containing bacteria) and the EPS contributing to the overall strength of the biofilm matrix.

Attachment from flow of Escherichia coli bacteria onto silanized glass substrates

We investigate the attachment of Escherichia coli on silanized glass surfaces during flow through a linear channel at flow rates of 0.1-1 mL/min using confocal microscopy. We assemble layers of organosilanes on glass and track the position and orientation of bacteria deposited on these surfaces during flow with high spatial resolution. We find that a metric based on the degree of the surface-tethered motion of bacteria driven by flagella is inversely correlated with deposition rate, whereas conventional surface characterizations, such as surface energy or water contact angle, are uncorrelated. Furthermore, the likelihood that an initially moving bacterium becomes immobilized increases with increasing deposition rate. Our results suggest that the chemistry and arrangement of silane molecules on the surface influence the transition from transient to irreversible attachment by favoring different mechanisms used by bacteria to attach to surfaces.

Visualization of microbiological processes underlying stress relaxation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms

Bacterial biofilms relieve themselves from external stresses through internal rearrangement, as mathematically modeled in many studies, but never microscopically visualized for their underlying microbiological processes. The aim of this study was to visualize rearrangement processes occurring in mechanically deformed biofilms using confocal-laser-scanning-microscopy after SYTO9 (green-fluorescent) and calcofluor-white (blue-fluorescent) staining to visualize bacteria and extracellular-polymeric matrix substances, respectively. We apply 20% uniaxial deformation to Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms and fix deformed biofilms prior to staining, after allowing different time-periods for relaxation. Two isogenic P. aeruginosa strains with different abilities to produce extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) were used. By confocal-laser-scanning-microscopy all biofilms showed intensity distributions for fluorescence from which rearrangement of EPS and bacteria in deformed biofilms were derived. For the P. aeruginosa strain producing EPS, bacteria could not find new, stable positions within 100 s after deformation, while EPS moved toward deeper layers within 20 s. Bacterial rearrangement was not seen in P. aeruginosa biofilms deficient in production of EPS. Thus, EPS is required to stimulate bacterial rearrangement in mechanically deformed biofilms within the time-scale of our experiments, and the mere presence of water is insufficient to induce bacterial movement, likely due to its looser association with the bacteria.

Biofilm formation and persistence on abiotic surfaces in the context of food and medical environments

The biofilm formation on abiotic surfaces in food and medical sectors constitutes a great public health concerns. In fact, biofilms present a persistent source for pathogens, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus, which lead to severe infections such as foodborne and nosocomial infections. Such biofilms are also a source of material deterioration and failure. The environmental conditions, commonly met in food and medical area, seem also to enhance the biofilm formation and their resistance to disinfectant agents. In this regard, this review highlights the effect of environmental conditions on bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation on abiotic surfaces in the context of food and medical environment. It also describes the current and emergent strategies used to study the biofilm formation and its eradication. The mechanisms of biofilm resistance to commercialized disinfectants are also discussed, since this phenomenon remains unclear to date.

Experimental evidence for osmotic pressure-induced fouling in a membrane bioreactor

A lab-scale membrane bioreactor (MBR) was continuously operated to investigate the membrane fouling. A new membrane fouling mechanism: osmotic pressure mechanism in cake layer filtration process was identified. Osmotic pressure was proposed to stem from the retention of counter-ions in the matrix of biopolymers in cake layer. Through Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyzes, it was found that functional groups were abundant in the surface of cake layer. Batch filtration tests showed that soluble microbial products (SMP) and biopolymer clusters (BPC) in the supernatant played key roles in osmotic pressure mechanism, and were thus largely responsible for the high cake resistance. The chemical potential of water varied along with cake depth. The formed cake layer was found to be much hydrated and elastic. These findings provided the direct evidence for the existence of osmotic pressure mechanism.

Deposition and disinfection of Escherichia coli O157:H7 on naturally occurring photoactive materials in a parallel plate chamber

Dissolved organic matter in combination with iron oxides has been shown to facilitate photochemical disinfection through the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) under UV and visible light. However, due to the extremely short lifetime of these radicals, the disinfection efficiency is limited by the successful transport of ROS to bacterial surfaces. This study was designed to quantitatively investigate three collector surfaces with various potentials to produce ROS [bare quartz, hematite (α-Fe2O3) coated quartz, and Suwannee River humic acid (SRHA)] and the effects of extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) (full or partial coating) and solution chemistry (ionic strength, IS) on the interactions between bacteria and the ROS-producing substrates. With few exceptions, bacterial deposition studies in a parallel plate (PP) flow chamber have revealed increasing cell adhesion with IS. Furthermore, interactions between collector surfaces and cells can be explained by electrostatic forces, with negatively charged SRHA reducing and positively charged α-Fe2O3 enhancing bacterial deposition significantly. Increased deposition was also observed with full EPS content, indicating the ability of EPS to facilitate interaction between cells and surfaces in the aquatic environment. In complementary disinfection studies conducted with simulated light, viability loss was observed for cells fully coated with EPS when attached to α-Fe2O3 under all IS conditions. Based upon our prior study in which EPS was found to not inhibit hydroxyl radical activity toward bacteria, we proposed that EPS might therefore promote disinfection by facilitating cell attachment to ROS-producing surfaces where higher concentrations of ROS are expected at closer proximities to reactive substrates (e.g., SRHA and α-Fe2O3). Our findings on the mechanism and controlling factors of cell interactions with photoactive substrates provide insight as to the role of ionic strength in photochemical disinfection processes.

Impact of the exopolysaccharides Pel and Psl on the initial adhesion of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to sand

In this study, the impact of the exopolysaccharides Pel and Psl on the cell surface electron donor-electron acceptor (acid-base) properties and adhesion to quartz sand was investigated by using Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 and its isogenic EPS-mutant strains Δpel, Δpsl and Δpel/Δpsl. The microbial adhesion to hydrocarbon (MATH) test and titration results showed that both Pel and Psl contribute to the surface hydrophobicity of the cell. The results of contact angle measurement, however, showed no correlation with the cell surface hydrophobicity measured by the MATH test and the titration method. Packed-bed column experiments indicated that the exopolysaccharides Pel and Psl are involved in the initial cell attachment to the sand surface and the extent of their impact is dependent on the ionic strength (IS) of the solution. Overall, the Δpel/Δpsl double mutant had the lowest adhesion coefficient to sand compared with the wild-type PAO1, the Δpel mutant and the Δpsl mutant. It is hypothesized that in addition to bacterial surface hydrophobicity and DLVO forces, other factors, eg steric repulsion caused by extracellular macromolecules, and cell surface appendages (flagella and pili) also contribute significantly to the interaction between the cell surface and a sand grain.

'Should I stay or should I go?' Bacterial attachment vs biofilm formation on surface-modified membranes

A number of techniques are used for testing the anti-biofouling activity of surfaces, yet the correlation between different results is often questionable. In this report, the correlation between initial bacterial deposition (fast tests, reported previously) and biofilm growth (much slower tests) was analyzed on a pristine and a surface-modified reverse osmosis membrane ESPA-1. The membrane was modified with grafted hydrophilic polymers bearing negatively charged, positively charged and zwitter-ionic moieties. Using three different bacterial strains it was found that there was no general correlation between the initial bacterial deposition rates and biofilm growth on surfaces, the reasons being different for each modified surface. For the negatively charged surface the slowest deposition due to the charge repulsion was eventually succeeded by the largest biofilm growth, probably due to secretion of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) that mediated a strong attachment. For the positively charged surface, short-term charge attraction by quaternary amine groups led to the fastest deposition, but could be eventually overridden by their antimicrobial activity, resulting in non-consistent results where in some cases a lower biofilm formation rate was observed. The results indicate that initial deposition rates have to be used and interpreted with great care, when used for assessing the anti-biofouling activity of surfaces. However, for a weakly interacting 'low-fouling' zwitter-ionic surface, the positive correlation between initial cell deposition and biofilm growth, especially under flow, suggests that for this type of coating initial deposition tests may be fairly indicative of anti-biofouling potential.

A distinguishable role of eDNA in the viscoelastic relaxation of biofilms

Bacteria in the biofilm mode of growth are protected against chemical and mechanical stresses. Biofilms are composed, for the most part, of extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs). The extracellular matrix is composed of different chemical constituents, such as proteins, polysaccharides, and extracellular DNA (eDNA). Here we aimed to identify the roles of different matrix constituents in the viscoelastic response of biofilms. Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus mutans, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms were grown under different conditions yielding distinct matrix chemistries. Next, biofilms were subjected to mechanical deformation and stress relaxation was monitored over time. A Maxwell model possessing an average of four elements for an individual biofilm was used to fit the data. Maxwell elements were defined by a relaxation time constant and their relative importance. Relaxation time constants varied widely over the 104 biofilms included and were divided into seven ranges (<1, 1 to 5, 5 to 10, 10 to 50, 50 to 100, 100 to 500, and >500 s). Principal-component analysis was carried out to eliminate related time constant ranges, yielding three principal components that could be related to the known matrix chemistries. The fastest relaxation component (<3 s) was due to the presence of water and soluble polysaccharides, combined with the absence of bacteria, i.e., the heaviest masses in a biofilm. An intermediate component (3 to 70 s) was related to other EPSs, while a distinguishable role was assigned to intact eDNA, which possesses a unique principal component with a time constant range (10 to 25 s) between those of EPS constituents. This implies that eDNA modulates its interaction with other matrix constituents to control its contribution to viscoelastic relaxation under mechanical stress.

The protection offered by biofilms to organisms that inhabit it against chemical and mechanical stresses is due in part to its matrix of extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs) in which biofilm organisms embed themselves. Mechanical stresses lead to deformation and possible detachment of biofilm organisms, and hence, rearrangement processes occur in a biofilm to relieve it from these stresses. Maxwell analysis of stress relaxation allows the determination of characteristic relaxation time constants, but the biofilm components and matrix constituents associated with different stress relaxation processes have never been identified. Here we grew biofilms with different matrix constituents and used principal-component analysis to reveal that the presence of water and soluble polysaccharides, together with the absence of bacteria, is associated with the fastest relaxation, while other EPSs control a second, slower relaxation. Extracellular DNA, as a matrix constituent, had a distinguishable role with its own unique principal component in stress relaxation with a time constant range between those of other EPSs.

Antimicrobial efficacy of two surface barrier discharges with air plasma against in vitro biofilms

The treatment of infected wounds is one possible therapeutic aspect of plasma medicine. Chronic wounds are often associated with microbial biofilms which limit the efficacy of antiseptics. The present study investigates two different surface barrier discharges with air plasma to compare their efficacy against microbial biofilms with chlorhexidine digluconate solution (CHX) as representative of an important antibiofilm antiseptic. Pseudomonas aeruginosa SG81 and Staphylococcus epidermidis RP62A were cultivated on polycarbonate discs. The biofilms were treated for 30, 60, 150, 300 or 600 s with plasma or for 600 s with 0.1% CHX, respectively. After treatment, biofilms were dispensed by ultrasound and the antimicrobial effects were determined as difference in the number of the colony forming units by microbial culture. A high antimicrobial efficacy on biofilms of both plasma sources in comparison to CHX treatment was shown. The efficacy differs between the used strains and plasma sources. For illustration, the biofilms were examined under a scanning electron microscope before and after treatment. Additionally, cytotoxicity was determined by the MTT (3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay with L929 mouse fibroblast cell line. The cell toxicity of the used plasma limits its applicability on human tissue to maximally 150 s. The emitted UV irradiance was measured to estimate whether UV could limit the application on human tissue at the given parameters. It was found that the UV emission is negligibly low. In conclusion, the results support the assumption that air plasma could be an option for therapy of chronic wounds.

Functional groups characteristics of EPS in biofilm growing on different carriers

This study investigated extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs), including soluble EPS, loosely bound EPS and tightly bound EPS (TB-EPS), in biofilms growing on different carriers from a CANON system to elucidate their different compositions and characteristics. The zeta potentials of all EPS fractions of the two samples were decreased systematically. The soft combination packing (SCP) was more hydrophilic than activated carbon fiber (ACF), and it obtained a significantly higher biomass. However, Raman spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed the same EPS fraction had similar functional groups between two carriers. Especially for the TB-EPS, total amount and the contents of proteins and polysaccharides in the SCP sample were much higher than those in the ACF sample. Moreover, the TB-EPS fraction of the SCP sample had better bioflocculation activity compared with that of the ACF sample. Therefore the result demonstrated that the characteristics of EPS varied from carrier to carrier.

Combined effects of EPS and HRT enhanced biofouling on a submerged and hybrid PAC-MF membrane bioreactor

The goal of this study was to quantify and demonstrate the dynamic effects of hydraulic retention time (HRT), organic carbon and various components of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) produced by microorganisms on the performance of submersed hollow-fiber microfiltration (MF) membrane in a hybrid powdered activated carbon (PAC)-MF membrane bioreactor (MBR). The reactors were operated continuously for 45 days to treat surface (river) water before and after pretreatment using a biofiltration unit. The real-time levels of organic carbon and the major components of EPS including five different carbohydrates (D(+) glucose and D(+) mannose, D(+) galactose, N-acetyl-D-galactosamine and D-galactose, oligosaccharides and L(-) fucose), proteins, and polysaccharides were quantified in the influent water, foulants, and in the bulk phases of different reactors. The presence of PAC extended the filtration cycle and enhanced the organic carbon adsorption and removal more than two fold. Biological filtration improved the filtrate quality and decreased membrane fouling. However, HRT influenced the length of the filtration cycle and had less effect on organic carbon and EPS component removal and/or biodegradation. The abundance of carbohydrates in the foulants on MF surfaces was more than 40 times higher than in the bulk phase, which demonstrates that the accumulation of carbohydrates on membrane surfaces contributed to the increase in transmembrane pressure significantly and PAC was not a potential adsorbent of carbohydrates. The abundance of N-acetyl-d-galactosamine and d-galactose was the highest in the foulants on membranes receiving biofilter-treated river water. Most of the biological fouling compounds were produced inside the reactors due to biodegradation. PAC inside the reactor enhanced the biodegradation of polysaccharides up to 97% and that of proteins by more than 95%. This real-time extensive and novel study demonstrates that the PAC-MF hybrid MBR is a sustainable technology for treating river water.

Biofouling of water treatment membranes: a review of the underlying causes, monitoring techniques and control measures

Biofouling is a critical issue in membrane water and wastewater treatment as it greatly compromises the efficiency of the treatment processes. It is difficult to control, and significant economic resources have been dedicated to the development of effective biofouling monitoring and control strategies. This paper highlights the underlying causes of membrane biofouling and provides a review on recent developments of potential monitoring and control methods in water and wastewater treatment with the aim of identifying the remaining issues and challenges in this area.

Physics of bacterial near-surface motility using flagella and type IV pili: implications for biofilm formation

We review physically-motivated studies of bacterial near-surface motility driven by flagella and type IV pili (TfP) in the context of biofilm formation. We describe the motility mechanisms that individual bacteria deploying flagella and TfP use to move on and near surfaces, and discuss how the interactions of motility appendages with fluid and surfaces promote motility, attachment and dispersal of bacteria on surfaces prior to biofilm formation.

Transport behavior of selected nanoparticles with different surface coatings in granular porous media coated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm

Well-controlled laboratory column experiments were conducted to understand the influence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) biofilms on the transport of selected engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) in granular porous media representative of groundwater aquifers or riverbank filtration settings. To understand the importance of particle size on retention in the biofilm-coated granular (quartz sand) matrix, column experiments were carried out using nanosized (20 nm) and micrometer-sized (1 μm) sulfate-functionalized polystyrene latex particles (designated as 20 nSL and 1 mSL, respectively). Additional experiments conducted with nanosized (20 nm) carboxyl-modified latex particles (20nCL) and carboxyl-modified CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) provide information on the influence of particle surface chemistry on retention. Biofilm grown on the surface of the sand was characterized by total biomass quantification, confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), and electrokinetic analysis. All four particles exhibit increased retention in the biofilm-coated packed bed: e.g., the attachment efficiency (α) of the 1 mSL particle increases from 0.40 to 1.7, whereas α for the 20 nSL particle increases from 0.04 to 0.10 in the biofilm-coated system. Particle surface chemistry can also influence the affinity of the ENPs for the biofilm coating as revealed by the greater attachment of the 20 nSL particle onto the biofilm-coated sand (α = 0.10) than its carboxylated counterpart (α = 0.04). Column experiments conducted using sand coated with growth medium (LB) or extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) extracted from P. aeruginosa biofilms further reveal that particle surface chemistry influences the interaction between the different ENPs and these coated sand surfaces. Namely, coating of sand surfaces with LB medium or bacterial EPS does not affect the transport of the sulfonated nanoparticle, but the LB coating leads to decreased retention of the carboxylated latex nanoparticle. Furthermore, our results show that EPS coatings are not necessarily good surrogates for biofilm-coated sand. Electrokinetic characterization of the clean and coated sand surfaces also reveals that the extent of particle retention is not controlled by electrical double layer interactions. Future studies should thus be aimed at improving our understanding of the fundamental mechanisms (both colloidal and noncolloidal) governing nanoparticle transport and fate in biofilm-laden granular aquatic environments.

Impact of an extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) precoating on the initial adhesion of Burkholderia cepacia and Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) significantly influence bacterial adhesion to solid surfaces, but it is difficult to elucidate the role of EPS on bacterial adhesion due to their complexity and variability. In the present study, the effect of EPS on the initial adhesion of B. cepaciaepacia PC184 and P. aeruginosa PAO1 on glass slides with and without an EPS precoating was investigated under three ionic strength conditions. The surface roughness of EPS coated slides was evaluated by atomic force microscopy (AFM), and its effect on initial bacterial adhesion was found to be trivial. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) studies were performed to determine the elemental surface compositions of bacterial cells and substrata. The results showed that an EPS precoating hindered bacterial adhesion on solid surfaces, which was largely attributed to the presence of proteins in the EPS. This observation can be attributed to the increased steric repulsion at high ionic strength conditions. A steric model for polymer brushes that considers the combined influence of steric effects and DLVO interaction forces is shown to adequately describe bacterial adhesion behaviors.

Impact of conditioning films on the initial adhesion of Burkholderia cepacia

Bacterial initial adhesion to inert surfaces in aquatic environments is mainly governed by the surface properties of the substratum, which can be altered significantly by the formation of conditioning films. Bacteria were tested for ability to adhere to bare glass slides and to slides coated with alginate, bovine serum albumin (BSA), or Suwannee River natural organic matter (SR-NOM). Three Burkholderia cepacia strains with different extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) secretion capacities were tested. The surface roughness of the slides was measured by atomic force microscopy (AFM), but its effect on bacterial initial adhesion was not significant. Our results showed the degree (number of cells per cm(2)) of initial adhesion among the three strains of B. cepacia was not significantly different, indicating that B. cepacia surface EPS did not impact adhesive capacity in the conditions tested. Depending on the conditioning film types and ionic strength conditions, conditioning film coatings can either enhance or reduce bacterial initial adhesion. Bacterial adhesion to bare slides and to alginate or SR-NOM coated slides increased with increasing ionic strength; however, a similar trend was not observed on BSA coated slides. Although BSA coated slides were the most hydrophobic and had the lowest negative surface charge among the surfaces tested, bacterial adhesion was not enhanced by the BSA coating. The extended Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek (DLVO) theory was applied to explain bacterial adhesion to solid surfaces.

Immobilization of subtilisin on polycaprolactam for antimicrobial food packaging applications

Subtilisin was immobilized on polycaprolactam and used for food packaging applications to reduce the transference of microorganisms from the packaging material to the packaged food material. The optimized conditions for subtilisin immobilization was as follows: pH, 8; temperature, 4 °C; glutaraldehyde, 0.5%; incubation time, 25 h; and subtilisin concentration, 600 μL. The formation of -CH═N- at 1576 cm(-1) in the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrum confirmed the immobilization. Subtilisin-immobilized polycaprolactam (SIP) exhibited the highest residual activity of 106.67 ± 4.41% and 104.67 ± 0.88% at 40 °C and pH 8 and retained residual activity of 94% at the end of 56 days when compared to 21.33 ± 4.10% in the case of free subtilisin. SIP significantly (p < 0.05) lowered the colony forming units (CFU), dry weight, and protein and carbohydrate contents in bacterial and fungal biofilm. Practical application of the SIP on ham steaks at 4 and 20 °C showed a 2-3 times reduction of Staphylococcus aureus as well as Escherichia coli cells in the range of p < 0.05.

Biofilms isolated from washing machines from three continents and their tolerance to a standard detergent

The goal of this comparative study was to investigate biofilm forming microorganisms living in washing machines (WMs). Biofilms were sampled from 11 washing machines from four countries and three continents. Among the 94 isolated strains, 30% were potential human pathogens. Representative strains were selected and biofilm formation was evaluated with the crystal violet (CV) assay. The majority of the WM isolates formed more biofilm than their reference strains. Biofilms of P. putida WM (the largest biofilm producer) were exposed to different concentrations (0.0007-7 g l(-1)) of the standard detergent IEC-A* at 30°C for 30 min and observed with confocal laser scanning microscopy. Using quantitative CVA, P. putida WM biofilm removal required higher detergent concentrations than the type strain. However, for both strains the recommended detergent concentration (7 g l(-1)) was insufficient to completely clean surfaces from cell debris and exopolymeric substances.

Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) of microbial aggregates in biological wastewater treatment systems: a review

A review concerning the definition, extraction, characterization, production and functions of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) of microbial aggregates in biological wastewater treatment reactors is given in this paper. EPS are a complex high-molecular-weight mixture of polymers excreted by microorganisms, produced from cell lysis and adsorbed organic matter from wastewater. They are a major component in microbial aggregates for keeping them together in a three-dimensional matrix. Their characteristics (e.g., adsorption abilities, biodegradability and hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity) and the contents of the main components (e.g., carbohydrates, proteins, humic substances and nucleic acids) in EPS are found to crucially affect the properties of microbial aggregates, such as mass transfer, surface characteristics, adsorption ability, stability, the formation of microbial aggregates etc. However, as EPS are very complex, the knowledge regarding EPS is far from complete and much work is still required to fully understand their precise roles in the biological treatment process.

Role of extracellular polymeric substances in bioflocculation of activated sludge microorganisms under glucose-controlled conditions

Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) secreted by suspended cultures of microorganisms from an activated sludge plant in the presence of glucose were characterized in detail using colorimetry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. EPS produced by the multi-species community were similar to literature reports of pure cultures in terms of functionalities with respect to C and O but differed subtly in terms of N and P. Hence, it appears that EPS produced by different microorganisms maybe homologous in major chemical constituents but may differ in minor components such as lipids and phosphodiesters. The role of specific EPS constituents on microbial aggregation was also determined. The weak tendency of microorganisms to bioflocculate during the exponential growth phase was attributed to electrostatic repulsion when EPS concentration was low and acidic in nature (higher fraction of uronic acids to total EPS) as well as reduced polymer bridging. However, during the stationary phase, polymeric interactions overwhelmed electrostatic interactions (lower fraction of uronic acids to total EPS) resulting in improved bioflocculation. More specifically, microorganisms appeared to aggregate in the presence of protein secondary structures including aggregated strands, beta-sheets, alpha- and 3-turn helical structures. Bioflocculation was also favored by increasing O-acetylated carbohydrates and overall C-(O,N) and O=C-OH+O=C-OR functionalities.

Extracellular enzymes affect biofilm formation of mucoid Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Pseudomonas aeruginosa secretes a variety of hydrolases, many of which contribute to virulence or are thought to play a role in the nutrition of the bacterium. As most studies concerning extracellular enzymes have been performed on planktonic cultures of non-mucoid P. aeruginosa strains, knowledge of the potential role of these enzymes in biofilm formation in mucoid (alginate-producing) P. aeruginosa remains limited. Here we show that mucoid P. aeruginosa produces extracellular hydrolases during biofilm growth. Overexpression of the extracellular lipases LipA and LipC, the esterase EstA and the proteolytic elastase LasB from plasmids revealed that some of these hydrolases affected the composition and physicochemical properties of the extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). While no influence of LipA was observed, the overexpression of estA and lasB led to increased concentrations of extracellular rhamnolipids with enhanced levels of mono-rhamnolipids, elevated amounts of total carbohydrates and decreased alginate concentrations, resulting in increased EPS hydrophobicity and viscosity. Moreover, we observed an influence of the enzymes on cellular motility. Overexpression of estA resulted in a loss of twitching motility, although it enhanced the ability to swim and swarm. The lasB-overexpression strain showed an overall enhanced motility compared with the parent strain. Moreover, the EstA- and LasB-overproduction strains completely lost the ability to form 3D biofilms, whereas the overproduction of LipC increased cell aggregation and the heterogeneity of the biofilms formed. Overall, these findings indicate that directly or indirectly, the secreted enzymes EstA, LasB and LipC can influence the formation and architecture of mucoid P. aeruginosa biofilms as a result of changes in EPS composition and properties, as well as the motility of the cells.

ATR-FTIR studies of phospholipid vesicle interactions with alpha-FeOOH and alpha-Fe2O3 surfaces

Prior infrared spectroscopic studies of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and live bacterial cells have indicated that organic phosphate groups mediate cell adhesion to iron oxides via inner-sphere P-OFe surface complexation. Since cell membrane phospholipids are a potential source of organic phosphate groups, we investigated the adhesion of phospholipidic vesicles to the surfaces of the iron (oxyhydr)oxides goethite (alpha-FeOOH) and hematite (alpha-Fe2O3) using attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy. l-alpha-phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and phosphatidic acid (PA) were used because they are vesicle forming phospholipids representative of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell surface membranes. Phospholipid vesicles, formed in aqueous suspension, were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), multi-angle laser light scattering (MALS) and quasi-elastic light scattering (QELS). Their adhesion to goethite and hematite surfaces was studied with ATR-FTIR at pH 5. Results indicate that PC and PE adsorption is affected by electrostatic interaction and H-bonding (PE). Conversely, adsorption of PA involves phosphate inner-sphere complexes, for both goethite and hematite, via P-OFe bond formation. Biomolecule adsorption at the interface was observed to occur on the scale of minutes to hours. Exponential and linear increases in peak intensity were observed for goethite and hematite, respectively. Our ATR-FTIR results on the PA terminal phosphate are in good agreement with those on EPS reacted with goethite and on bacterial cell adhesion to hematite. These findings suggest that the plasma membrane, and the PA terminal phosphate in particular, may play a role in mediating the interaction between bacteria and iron oxide surfaces during initial stages of biofilm formation.

Impact of higher alginate expression on deposition of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in radial stagnation point flow and reverse osmosis systems

Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) have major impact on biofouling of reverse osmosis (RO) membranes. On one hand, EPS can reduce membrane permeability and on the other, EPS production by the primary colonizers may influence their deposition and attachment rate and subsequently affect the biofouling propensity of the membrane. The role of bacterial exopolysaccharides in bacterial deposition followed by the biofouling potential of an RO membrane was evaluated using an alginate overproducing (mucoid) Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The mucoid P. aeruginosa PAOmucA22 was compared with its isogenic nonmucoid prototypic parent PAO1 microscopically in a radial stagnation point flow (RSPF) system for their bacterial deposition characteristics. Then, biofouling potential of PAO1 and PAOmucA22 was determined in a crossflow rectangular plate-and-frame membrane cell, in which the strains were cultivated on a thin-film composite, polyamide, flat RO membrane coupon (LFC-1) under laminar flow conditions. In the RSPF system, the observed deposition rate of the mucoid strain was between 5- and 10-fold lower than of the wild type using either synthetic wastewater medium (with ionic strength of 14.7 mM and pH 7.4) or 15 mM KCl solution (pH of 6.2). The slower deposition rate of the mucoid strain is explained by 5- to 25-fold increased hydrophilicity of the mucoid strain as compared to the isogenic wild type, PAO1. Corroborating with these results, a significant delay in the onset of biofouling of the RO membrane was observed when the mucoid strain was used as the membrane colonizer, in which the observed time for the induced permeate flux decline was delayed (ca. 2-fold). In conclusion, the lower initial cell attachment of the mucoid strain decelerated biofouling of the RO membrane. Bacterial deposition and attachment is a critical step in biofilm formation and governed by intimate interactions between outer membrane proteins of the bacteria and the surface. Shielding these interactions by a hydrated and hydrophilic alginate capsule is shown to dramatically lessen the biofouling potential of the membrane colonizers.

A comparison of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm development on ZnSe and TiO2 using attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy

The growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 biofilms on ZnSe internal reflection elements (IREs) was compared with their growth on TiO(2)-coated ZnSe over several days using attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FT-IR) spectroscopy. The effect of the TiO(2) coating on the IR spectra of reference compounds and cell suspensions was determined to aid in the interpretation of the data. The presence of TiO(2) on the surface of a ZnSe IRE tripled the size of the amide II peak and facilitated the detection of pyoverdin production due to its increased adsorption on the coated surface. A 50% increase in the length of the lag phase was observed for PAO1 growth on TiO(2)-coated surfaces as compared to growth on ZnSe. Biofilms on both surfaces exhibited a growth maximum for all components, followed by restructuring at the surface characterized by a decrease in the signal. The composition of biofilms grown on TiO(2) was relatively constant after the restructuring phase, while the extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) component of the biofilms grown on ZnSe gradually increased. The peak due to the carbohydrate component of EPS was much larger in the spectra of biofilms than in those of planktonic cells. The increase of the pyoverdin signal over time in the spectra of the biofilms on TiO(2) closely followed the overall increase in biomass. However, no signal from pyoverdin was detected in the presence of ferric ions.