Beneficial biofilms: A mini-review of strategies to enhance biofilm formation for biotechnological applications

External Environment ◽

Bacterial Cells ◽

Biotechnological Applications ◽

Biofilm Growth ◽

Research Attention ◽

Signaling Systems ◽

The capacity of bacteria to form biofilms is an important trait for their survival and persistence. Biofilms occur naturally in soil and aquatic environments, are associated with animals ranging from insects to humans and are also found in built environments. They are typically encountered as a challenge in healthcare, food industry, and water supply ecosystems. In contrast, they are known to play a key role in the industrial production of commercially valuable products, environmental remediation processes, and in microbe-catalysed electrochemical systems for energy and resource recovery from wastewater. While there are many recent articles on biofilm control and removal, review articles on promoting biofilm growth for biotechnological applications are unavailable. Biofilm formation is a tightly regulated response to perturbations in the external environment. The multi-stage process, mediated by an assortment of proteins and signaling systems, involves the attachment of bacterial cells to a surface followed by their aggregation in a matrix of extracellular polymeric substances. Biofilms can be promoted by altering the external environment in a controlled manner, supplying molecules that trigger the aggregation of cells and engineering genes associated with biofilm development. This mini-review synthesizes findings from studies that have described such strategies and highlights areas needing research attention.

Effects ofBacillusSerine Proteases on the Bacterial Biofilms

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2017/8525912 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2017 ◽

pp. 1-10 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Olga Mitrofanova ◽

Ayslu Mardanova ◽

Vladimir Evtugyn ◽

Lydia Bogomolnaya ◽

Margarita Sharipova

Keyword(s):

Biofilm Formation ◽

Quantitative Methods ◽

Time Course ◽

Proteolytic Enzymes ◽

Opportunistic Pathogen ◽

Glutamyl Endopeptidase ◽

Bacterial Cells ◽

Biofilm Growth ◽

Tract Infections

Serratia marcescensis an emerging opportunistic pathogen responsible for many hospital-acquired infections including catheter-associated bacteremia and urinary tract and respiratory tract infections. Biofilm formation is one of the mechanisms employed byS. marcescensto increase its virulence and pathogenicity. Here, we have investigated the main steps of the biofilm formation byS. marcescensSR 41-8000. It was found that the biofilm growth is stimulated by the nutrient-rich environment. The time-course experiments showed thatS. marcescenscells adhere to the surface of the catheter and start to produce extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) within the first 2 days of growth. After 7 days,S. marcescensbiofilms maturate and consist of bacterial cells embedded in a self-produced matrix of hydrated EPS. In this study, the effect ofBacillus pumilus3-19 proteolytic enzymes on the structure of 7-day-oldS. marcescensbiofilms was examined. Using quantitative methods and scanning electron microscopy for the detection of biofilm, we demonstrated a high efficacy of subtilisin-like protease and glutamyl endopeptidase in biofilm removal. Enzymatic treatment resulted in the degradation of the EPS components and significant eradication of the biofilms.

Bacteriophages as an Alternative Strategy for Fighting Biofilm Development

Polish Journal of Microbiology ◽

10.33073/pjm-2014-019 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 63 (2) ◽

pp. 137-145 ◽

Cited By ~ 56

Author(s):

SYLWIA PARASION ◽

MAGDALENA KWIATEK ◽

ROMUALD GRYKO ◽

LIDIA MIZAK ◽

ANNA MALM

Keyword(s):

Biofilm Formation ◽

Bacterial Resistance ◽

Bacterial Species ◽

Experimental Studies ◽

Alternative Methods ◽

Resistant Bacteria ◽

Bacterial Cells ◽

Coagulase Negative Staphylococci ◽

The ability of microbes to form biofilms is an important element of their pathogenicity, and biofilm formation is a serious challenge for today's medicine. Fighting the clinical complications associated with biofilm formation is very difficult and linked to a high risk of failure, especially in a time of increasing bacterial resistance to antibiotics. Bacterial species most commonly isolated from biofilms include coagulase-negative staphylococci, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium, Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter spp. The frequent failure of antibiotic therapy led researchers to look for alternative methods and experiment with the use of antibacterial factors with a mechanism of action different from that of antibiotics. Experimental studies with bacteriophages and mixtures thereof, expressing lytic properties against numerous biofilm-forming bacterial species showed that bacteriophages may both prevent biofilm formation and contribute to eradication of biofilm bacteria. A specific role is played here by phage depolymerases, which facilitate the degradation of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and thus the permeation of bacteriophages into deeper biofilm layers and lysis of the susceptible bacterial cells. Much hope is placed in genetic modifications of bacteriophages that would allow the equipping bacteriophages with the function of depolymerase synthesis. The use of phage cocktails prevents the development of phage-resistant bacteria.

Abstracts of an international conference “Biofilms II: Attachment and detachment in pure and mixed cultures”, held at the Leipziger Kubus UFZ Centre for Environmental Research, Leipzig, Germany, from 23 March to 24 March 2006

Biofilms ◽

10.1017/s1479050506001992 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 2 (4) ◽

pp. 245-273

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Biofilm Formation ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Conjugative Plasmid ◽

Environmental Research ◽

Biofilm Growth ◽

Biofilm Detachment ◽

The effect of growth and detachment on formation of large-scale biofilm structureBiofilm cohesive energy density determination using a novel atomic force microscopy methodologyFluorescence correlation spectroscopy under two-photon excitation for the study of diffusion and reactivity of bacteriophage inside bacterial biofilmsBiothermodynamic characterization and dynamic analysis of biofilms using calorimetryBiomimetic antifouling coatings for sensor surfaces for water monitoring: performance control in defined biofilm cultures and under real environmental conditionsThe contribution of rpos to formation of Escherichia coli biofilmsSynergistic effects in mixed Escherichia coli biofilms: conjugative plasmid transfer drives biofilm expansionThe universal stress protein PA3309 in Pseudomonas aeruginosa is induced in biofilmsExtracellular polymeric substances from biofilms on membranes in waste-water treatment plantsBiofilm-to-planktonic cell yield: a strategy for proliferationPhysiological and phylogenetic characterization of the dispersed and loosely attached fraction of activated sludge flocsTowards a deterministic model of biofilm detachment: an experimental studyEffect of backwash on the characteristics of biofilm in a biological activated filter reactor using elemental sulfur particlesProcess performance and biomass properties in membrane-aerated bioreactorsBioaugmentation via conjugation in biofilms treating 3-chloroaniline: effects of selective pressureEffect of phosphorus on biofilm growth in a completely mixed biofilm reactorImpacts of biofilm development on reactive transport in porous media under variable flow regimensInfluence of biofilms on colloid mobility in the subsurfaceBiofilms in amendable in situ microcosms indicate relevant electron acceptor processes at a BTEX-contaminated aquiferFunctional biodiversity of complex biofilms grown on polychlorinated biphenyl oilIdentification and characterization of biofilm formation phenotypes of several clinically relevant Streptococcus pyogenes serotype strainsSelected probiotic bacteria disrupt biofilm development of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faeciumComparison of the extracellular polymeric substances of Candida albicans and Candida dubliniensis biofilmsInfluence of quorum-sensing regulated production of an antimicrobial component by Serratia plymuthica on establishment of dual species biofilms with Escherichia coliBiofilm formation by the thermophilic and cellulolytic actinomycete Thermobifida fuscaBiomonitoring of bacterial contamination on different surfaces of food-processing machinesRole of the flagella during the adhesion of Listeria monocytogenes EGD-e to inert surfaces after cultivation at different pHs and temperaturesAdhesion of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to stainless steel: influence of surface propertiesInvestigating the mechanical strength of biofilms with fluid dynamic gaugingThree-dimensional biofilm model with individual cells and continuum extracellular polymeric substances matrixA three-dimensional computer model analysis of four hypothetical biofilm detachment mechanismsModelling biofilm growth, detachment and fluid flow in a cross-section of tube reactorsBiofilm games

Low-Field Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Characteristics of Biofilm Development Process

Microorganisms ◽

10.3390/microorganisms9122466 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (12) ◽

pp. 2466

Author(s):

Yajun Zhang ◽

Yusheng Lin ◽

Xin Lv ◽

Aoshu Xu ◽

Caihui Feng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance ◽

Magnetic Resonance ◽

Biofilm Formation ◽

Development Process ◽

Bacterial Cells ◽

T2 Relaxation ◽

Biofilm Growth ◽

Low Field ◽

Biofilm Development ◽

Nuclear Magnetic

To in situ and noninvasively monitor the biofilm development process by low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), experiments should be made to determine the mechanisms responsible for the T2 signals of biofilm growth. In this paper, biofilms were cultivated in both fluid media and saturated porous media. T2 relaxation for each sample was measured to investigate the contribution of the related processes to T2 relaxation signals. In addition, OD values of bacterial cell suspensions were measured to provide the relative number of bacterial cells. We also obtained SEM photos of the biofilms after vacuum freeze-drying the pure sand and the sand with biofilm formation to confirm the space within the biofilm matrix and identify the existence of biofilm formation. The T2 relaxation distribution is strongly dependent on the density of the bacterial cells suspended in the fluid and the stage of biofilm development. The peak time and the peak percentage can be used as indicators of the biofilm growth states.

Process Description of an Unconventional Biofilm Formation by Bacterial Cells Autoagglutinating Through Sticky, Long, and Peritrichate Nanofibers

10.26434/chemrxiv.10001924.v1 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Yoshihide Furuichi ◽

Shogo Yoshimoto ◽

Tomohiro Inaba ◽

Nobuhiko Nomura ◽

Katsutoshi Hori

Keyword(s):

Formation Process ◽

Biofilm Formation ◽

Waste Treatment ◽

Large Cell ◽

Dlvo Theory ◽

Bacterial Cells ◽

Chemical Production ◽

Discontinuous Surface ◽

Cell Cell

Biofilms are used in environmental biotechnologies including waste treatment and environmentally friendly chemical production. Understanding the mechanisms of biofilm formation is essential to control microbial behavior and improve environmental biotechnologies. Acinetobacter sp. Tol 5 autoagglutinate through the interaction of the long, peritrichate nanofiber protein AtaA, a trimeric autotransporter adhesin. Using AtaA, without cell growth or the production of extracellular polymeric substances, Tol 5 cells quickly form an unconventional biofilm. In this study, we investigated the formation process of this unconventional biofilm, which started with cell–cell interactions, proceeded to cell clumping, and led to the formation of large cell aggregates. The cell–cell interaction was described by DLVO theory based on a new concept, which considers two independent interactions between two cell bodies and between two AtaA fiber tips forming a virtual discontinuous surface. If cell bodies cannot collide owing to an energy barrier at low ionic strengths but approach within the interactive distance of AtaA fibers, cells can agglutinate through their contact. Cell clumping proceeds following the cluster–cluster aggregation model, and an unconventional biofilm containing void spaces and a fractal nature develops. Understanding its formation process would extend the utilization of various types of biofilms, enhancing environmental biotechnologies.

Antibiotics Application Strategies to Control Biofilm Formation in Pathogenic Bacteria

Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology ◽

10.2174/1389201020666191112155905 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 (4) ◽

pp. 270-286 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Fazlurrahman Khan ◽

Dung T.N. Pham ◽

Sandra F. Oloketuyi ◽

Young-Mog Kim

Keyword(s):

Biofilm Formation ◽

Pathogenic Bacteria ◽

Quorum Quenching ◽

Resistance Mechanisms ◽

Bacterial Biofilm ◽

Bacterial Cells ◽

High Concentration ◽

Biofilm Inhibition ◽

Abiotic Surfaces

Background: The establishment of a biofilm by most pathogenic bacteria has been known as one of the resistance mechanisms against antibiotics. A biofilm is a structural component where the bacterial community adheres to the biotic or abiotic surfaces by the help of Extracellular Polymeric Substances (EPS) produced by bacterial cells. The biofilm matrix possesses the ability to resist several adverse environmental factors, including the effect of antibiotics. Therefore, the resistance of bacterial biofilm-forming cells could be increased up to 1000 times than the planktonic cells, hence requiring a significantly high concentration of antibiotics for treatment. Methods: Up to the present, several methodologies employing antibiotics as an anti-biofilm, antivirulence or quorum quenching agent have been developed for biofilm inhibition and eradication of a pre-formed mature biofilm. Results: Among the anti-biofilm strategies being tested, the sub-minimal inhibitory concentration of several antibiotics either alone or in combination has been shown to inhibit biofilm formation and down-regulate the production of virulence factors. The combinatorial strategies include (1) combination of multiple antibiotics, (2) combination of antibiotics with non-antibiotic agents and (3) loading of antibiotics onto a carrier. Conclusion: The present review paper describes the role of several antibiotics as biofilm inhibitors and also the alternative strategies adopted for applications in eradicating and inhibiting the formation of biofilm by pathogenic bacteria.

Improvement of XTT assay performance for studies involving Candida albicans biofilms

Brazilian Dental Journal ◽

10.1590/s0103-64402008000400014 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 19 (4) ◽

pp. 364-369 ◽

Cited By ~ 68

Author(s):

Wander José da Silva ◽

Jayampath Seneviratne ◽

Nipuna Parahitiyawa ◽

Edvaldo Antonio Ribeiro Rosa ◽

Lakshman Perera Samaranayake ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Candida Albicans ◽

Biofilm Formation ◽

Cell Activity ◽

Growth Yield ◽

Xtt Assay ◽

Biofilm Growth ◽

Assay Performance ◽

Reduction Assay ◽

Cell Layers ◽

2, 3-bis (2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-5-[(phenylamino) carbonyl]-2H-tetrazolium hydroxide (XTT) reduction assay has been used to study Candida biofilm formation. However, considering that the XTT reduction assay is dependent on cell activity, its use for evaluating mature biofilms may lead to inaccuracies since biofilm bottom cell layers tend to be relatively quiescent at later stages of biofilm formation. The aim of this study was to improve XTT reduction assay by adding glucose supplements to the standard XTT formulation. Candida albicans ATCC 90028 was used to form 24-, 48- and 72-h biofilms. The oxidative activity at 90, 180 and 270 min of incubation was evaluated. The control consisted of standard XTT formulation without glucose supplements, and was modified by the addition of 50, 100 and 200 mM of glucose. The XTT assay with 200 mM glucose showed more accurate and consistent readings correlating with biofilm development at 24, 48 and 72 h. Biofilm growth yield after 180 min incubation, when evaluated with the 200 mM glucose supplemented XTT, produced the most consistent readings on repetitive testing. It may be concluded that glucose supplementation of XTT could minimize variation and produce more accurate data for the XTT assay.

Evidence of cannibalism during long-term biofilm-antimicrobials interaction

10.5194/biofilms9-144 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Maria Chiara Sportelli ◽

Giada Caniglia ◽

Ruggiero Quarto ◽

Rosaria Anna Picca ◽

Antonio Valentini ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Biofilm Formation ◽

Antimicrobial Agents ◽

Survival Strategies ◽

Bacterial Cells ◽

Ion Release ◽

Swelling Properties ◽

Morphological Studies ◽

Molecular Information

Biofilms are considered a major cause of serious health issues in human medicine and food industry, due to their resistance against harsh conditions and pharmacological treatment [1]. Biofilms are defined as three-dimensional structures encasing bacterial communities rooted in extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). These complex systems are strongly influenced by a variety of parameters including biofilm age, external conditions, nutrient deficiency, attack of exogenous agents [2]. Moreover, bacterial colonies may activate survival strategies when subjected to stress such as the presence of antimicrobial agents. Even cannibalistic behavior may occur [3], which involves the secretion of cannibalism toxins inducing the generation of lysed cells providing nutrients. Several methodologies were developed for or adapted to biofilm formation studies enabling a more comprehensive understanding of biofilm physiology, structure, and composition. This information should facilitate the development of more effective eradication strategies. Infrared spectroscopy in attenuated total reflectance (IR-ATR) mode provides in-situ and close to real time monitoring of biofilm lifecycles providing molecular information on the various stages of biofilm formation. Given the antibiotic resistance of biofilms [4], it is of increasing importance to develop innovative methodologies for the treatment of biofilm-related infections. While our research team has shown the generic utility of antimicrobial nanoparticles (NPs) such as ZnONPs, AgNPs, CuNPs, etc. in the past [5], the current study focuses on AgNPs embedded within fluoropolymer matrices with tunable loading of the NPs. Next to morphological studies by TEM and AFM, detailed XPS investigations revealed the surface chemical composition. In addition, the kinetics of antimicrobial ion release enabled correlating the behavior of the nanocomposite to its swelling properties and 3D modification after immersion in liquids. Biofilm growth and inhibition was studied via AFM, optical microscopy and IR-ATR. The IR analysis of the biofilm allowed collecting molecular information on the biofilm behavior during long-term contact with antimicrobial surfaces. It was demonstrated that bacterial cells may re-colonize on top of dead biomass once the latter is thick enough to prevent direct interaction with the antimicrobial surface. In summary, this study represents an excellent foundation for developing an in depth understanding on the behavior of bacterial colonies and nascent biofilms in contact with surfaces decorated with nanoantimicrobials over extended periods of time. It is anticipated that an improved understanding on the stages of biofilm formation provides insight into the processes governing antimicrobial resistance phenomena. Finally, present antimicrobial material may be a useful strategy against Corona viruses. An outlook to this urging topic will be also presented. <div> [1] N. Billings et al., Rep. Prog. Phys., 2015, 78, 036601. [2] D.O. Serra et al., MBio., 2013, 4, e00103. [3] C. H&#246;fler et al., Microbiology, 2016, 162, 164. [4] M.C. Sportelli et al., Sci. Rep., 2017, 7, 11870. [5] M.C. Sportelli et al., TrAC, 2016, 84, 131. </div>

Bioinspired surfaces to delay biofilm formation: different surfaces with different mechanisms

10.5194/biofilms9-7 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Jinju Chen

Keyword(s):

Contact Angle ◽

Biofilm Formation ◽

Early Stage ◽

Contact Angle Hysteresis ◽

Antibacterial Properties ◽

Hierarchical Structures ◽

Bacterial Cells ◽

Biofilm Growth ◽

Porous Surfaces ◽

Rose Petal

Biofilm associated infections are the fourth leading cause of death worldwide, within the U.S. about 2 million annual cases lead to more than $5 billion USD in added medical costs per annum. Therefore, it is important to control biofilm growth and reduce the instances of infections.&#160; Physical strategies, in particular the use of rationally designed surface topographies or surface energies, have present us with an interesting approach to prevent bacterial adherence and biofilm growth without the requirement for antimicrobials. A variety of natural surfaces exhibit antibacterial properties. Examples of such surfaces include rose petals with hierarchical structures and Nepenthes pitcher plants with slippery liquid-infused porous surfaces. &#160; In this study, we fabricated different &#160;biomimetic surfaces (rose-petal surfaces and slippery liquid-infused porous surfaces). &#160;&#160;We have demonstrated that rose-petal surface can delay early stage P. aeruginosa and S. epidermidis biofilms formation (2 days) by about 70% and control&#160; biofilm &#160;formation according to surface structures.&#160; The mechanisms of hierarchical structures &#160;of rose-petal influence biofilm formation are two folds: 1) Papillae microstructure block &#160;the bacterial clusters in between the valleys, limiting the potential for cell-cell communication via fibrous networks, thereby resulting in impaired biofilm growth. 2) The secondary structure (nano-folds) on microstructures can align bacterial cells within the constrained grooves, thereby delaying cell clusters formation during short term growth of biofilm. While, the slippery liquid-infused porous surface(s) can prevent over 90% P. aeruginosa and S. epidermidis biofilms formation for a duration of 6 days.&#160; These are mainly attributed to their high contact angle and extreme low contact angle hysteresis.

Biofilm formation by a biotechnologically important tropical marine yeast isolate, Yarrowia lipolytica NCIM 3589

Water Science & Technology ◽

10.2166/wst.2008.479 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 58 (6) ◽

pp. 1221-1229 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

D. H. Dusane ◽

Y. V. Nancharaiah ◽

V. P. Venugopalan ◽

A. R. Kumar ◽

S. S. Zinjarde

Keyword(s):

Yarrowia Lipolytica ◽

Biofilm Formation ◽

Edible Oils ◽

Carbon Sources ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Ecological Niches ◽

Lag Phase ◽

Biofilm Growth ◽

Water Media ◽

Biofilm formation by Yarrowia lipolytica, a biotechnologically important fungus in microtitre plates, on glass slide surfaces and in flow cell was investigated. In microtitre plates, there was a short lag phase of adhesion followed by a period of rapid biofilm growth. The fungus formed extensive biofilms on glass slides, whereas in flow-cells a multicellular, three-dimensional microcolony structure was observed. The isolate formed biofilms in seawater and in fresh water media at neutral pH when grown in microtitre plates. The carbon sources differentially affected formation of biofilms in microtitre plates. Lactic acid, erythritol, glycerol, glucose and edible oils supported the formation of biofilms, while alkanes resulted in sub-optimal biofilm development. A variation in the morphology of the fungus was observed with different carbon sources. The results point to the possible existence of highly structured biofilms in varied ecological niches from where the yeast is isolated.