Quantifying biofilm structure

2013 ◽  
pp. 353-438
Keyword(s):  
Biofilm Structure

Biofilm Structure – An Important and Neglected Parameter in Waste Water Treatment

1989 ◽  
Vol 21 (8-9) ◽  
pp. 805-814 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. R. Christensen ◽  
G. Holm Kristensen ◽  
J. la Cour Jansen
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Waste Water Treatment ◽  
Experimental Investigations ◽  
Biofilm Reactors ◽  
Substrate Removal ◽  
Treatment Processes ◽  
Laboratory Reactor ◽  
Biofilm Structure ◽  
Kinetics Of

Experimental investigations on the kinetics of wastewater treatment processes in biofilms were performed in a laboratory reactor. Parallel with the kinetic experiments, the influence of the biofilm kinetics on the biofilm structure was studied at macroscopic and microscopic levels. The close interrelationship between biofilm kinetics and structural changes caused by the kinetics is illustrated by several examples. From the study, it is evident that the traditional modelling of wastewater treatment processes in biofilm reactors based on substrate removal kinetics alone will fail in many cases, due to the inevitable changes in the biofilm structure not taken into consideration. Therefore design rules for substrate removal in biofilms used for wastewater treatment must include correlations between the removal kinetics and the structure and development of the biological film.

scholarly journals Sodium Salicylate Influences the Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilm Structure and Susceptibility Towards Silver

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 1060
Author(s):  
Erik Gerner ◽  
Sofia Almqvist ◽  
Peter Thomsen ◽  
Maria Werthén ◽  
Margarita Trobos
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Sodium Salicylate ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Cell Aggregation ◽  
Wound Fluid ◽  
Global Challenge ◽  
3D Collagen ◽  
Biofilm Development ◽  
Biofilm Structure

Hard-to-heal wounds are typically infected with biofilm-producing microorganisms, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which strongly contribute to delayed healing. Due to the global challenge of antimicrobial resistance, alternative treatment strategies are needed. Here, we investigated whether inhibition of quorum sensing (QS) by sodium salicylate in different P. aeruginosa strains (QS-competent, QS-mutant, and chronic wound strains) influences biofilm formation and tolerance to silver. Biofilm formation was evaluated in simulated serum-containing wound fluid in the presence or absence of sodium salicylate (NaSa). Biofilms were established using a 3D collagen-based biofilm model, collagen coated glass, and the Calgary biofilm device. Furthermore, the susceptibility of 48-h-old biofilms formed by laboratory and clinical strains in the presence or absence of NaSa towards silver was evaluated by assessing cell viability. Biofilms formed in the presence of NaSa were more susceptible to silver and contained reduced levels of virulence factors associated with biofilm development than those formed in the absence of NaSa. Biofilm aggregates formed by the wild-type but not the QS mutant strain, were smaller and less heterogenous in size when grown in cultures with NaSa compared to control. These data suggest that NaSa, via a reduction of cell aggregation in biofilms, allows the antiseptic to become more readily available to cells.

scholarly journals Influence of Rhamnolipids and Ionic Cross-Linking Conditions on the Mechanical Properties of Alginate Hydrogels as a Model Bacterial Biofilm

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (13) ◽  
pp. 6840
Author(s):  
Natalia Czaplicka ◽  
Szymon Mania ◽  
Donata Konopacka-Łyskawa
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Pure Water ◽  
Testing Machine ◽  
Bacterial Biofilm ◽  
Ion Trapping ◽  
Cross Linking ◽  
Box Behnken Design ◽  
Compression Load ◽  
Alginate Hydrogels ◽  
Biofilm Structure

The literature indicates the existence of a relationship between rhamnolipids and bacterial biofilm, as well as the ability of selected bacteria to produce rhamnolipids and alginate. However, the influence of biosurfactant molecules on the mechanical properties of biofilms are still not fully understood. The aim of this research is to determine the effect of rhamnolipids concentration, CaCl2 concentration, and ionic cross-linking time on the mechanical properties of alginate hydrogels using a Box–Behnken design. The mechanical properties of cross-linked alginate hydrogels were characterized using a universal testing machine. It was assumed that the addition of rhamnolipids mainly affects the compression load, and the value of this parameter is lower for hydrogels produced with biosurfactant concentration below CMC than for hydrogels obtained in pure water. In contrast, the addition of rhamnolipids in an amount exceeding CMC causes an increase in compression load. In bacterial biofilms, the presence of rhamnolipid molecules does not exceed the CMC value, which may confirm the influence of this biosurfactant on the formation of the biofilm structure. Moreover, rhamnolipids interact with the hydrophobic part of the alginate copolymer chains, and then the hydrophilic groups of adsorbed biosurfactant molecules create additional calcium ion trapping sites.

scholarly journals Halotolerant bioanodes: The applied potential modulates the electrochemical characteristics, the biofilm structure and the ratio of the two dominant genera

2016 ◽  
Vol 112 ◽  
pp. 24-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raphaël Rousseau ◽  
Catherine Santaella ◽  
Anaïs Bonnafous ◽  
Wafa Achouak ◽  
Jean-Jacques Godon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electrochemical Characteristics ◽  
Applied Potential ◽  
Biofilm Structure

How Physical Interactions Shape Bacterial Biofilms

2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Berenike Maier
Keyword(s):  
Extracellular Matrix ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Bacterial Biofilms ◽  
Annual Review ◽  
Publication Date ◽  
Extracellular Matrix Components ◽  
Macroscopic Objects ◽  
Physical Interactions ◽  
Repulsive Forces ◽  
Biofilm Structure

Biofilms are structured communities formed by a single or multiple microbial species. Within biofilms, bacteria are embedded into extracellular matrix, allowing them to build macroscopic objects. Biofilm structure can respond to environmental changes such as the presence of antibiotics or predators. By adjusting expression levels of surface and extracellular matrix components, bacteria tune cell-to-cell interactions. One major challenge in the field is the fact that these components are very diverse among different species. Deciphering how physical interactions within biofilms are affected by changes in gene expression is a promising approach to obtaining a more unified picture of how bacteria modulate biofilms. This review focuses on recent advances in characterizing attractive and repulsive forces between bacteria in correlation with biofilm structure, dynamics, and spreading. How bacteria control physical interactions to maximize their fitness is an emerging theme. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Biophysics, Volume 50 is May 2021. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.

Effect of EPS on biofilm structure and function as revealed by an individual-based model of biofilm growth

2001 ◽  
Vol 43 (6) ◽  
pp. 135-135 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.-U. Kreft ◽  
J. W. Wimpenny
Keyword(s):  
Dimensional Space ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Structure And Function ◽  
Individual Based Model ◽  
Biofilm Growth ◽  
Rate Dependent ◽  
Binding Forces ◽  
The Individual ◽  
And Function ◽  
Biofilm Structure

We have simulated a nitrifying biofilm with one ammonia and one nitrite oxidising species in order to elucidate the effect of various extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) production scenarios on biofilm structure and function. The individual-based model (IbM) BacSim simulates diffusion of all substrates on a two-dimensional lattice. Each bacterium is individually simulated as a sphere of given size in a continuous, three-dimensional space. EPS production kinetics was described by a growth rate dependent and an independent term (Luedeking-Piret equation). The structure of the biofilm was dramatically influenced by EPS production or capsule formation. EPS production decreased growth of producers and stimulated growth of non-producers because of the energy cost involved. For the same reason, EPS accumulation can fall as its rate of production increases. The patchiness and roughness of the biofilm decreased and the porosity increased due to EPS production. EPS density was maximal in the middle of the vertical profile. Introduction of binding forces between like cells increased clustering.

scholarly journals Biofilm physical structure, internal diffusivity and tortuosity

2005 ◽  
Vol 52 (7) ◽  
pp. 77-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
L.F. Melo
Keyword(s):  
Laminar Flow ◽  
Research Group ◽  
Fluid Velocity ◽  
Physical Structure ◽  
Flow Conditions ◽  
Physical Concept ◽  
Common Trend ◽  
Effective Diffusivities ◽  
Biofilm Structure ◽  
Turbulent Flow Conditions

The paper proposes tortuosity as a physical concept particularly useful to interpret internal diffusivities in terms of biofilm structure. Results from different authors are presented showing how average effective diffusivities in biofilms (measured with inert tracers) vary with the fluid velocity: in the case of biofilms formed under turbulent flow conditions, an increase in fluid velocity corresponds to a decrease in the diffusivity, although sometimes this decrease is very slight; however, in laminar flow situations, no common trend is found from research group to research group.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document