Initial Attachment and Biofilm Formation of a Novel Crenarchaeote on Mineral Sulfides

2015 ◽  
Vol 1130 ◽  
pp. 127-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rui Yong Zhang ◽  
Yu Tong Zhang ◽  
Thomas R. Neu ◽  
Qian Li ◽  
Sören Bellenberg ◽  
...  

This study focused on colonization and biofilm formation of a new crenarchaeoteAcidianussp. DSM 29099 on pyrite and chalcopyrite. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) in combination with several fluorescent stains was applied to examine spatial distribution of cells and biofilms, as well as extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) production on the substrates. Around 60% and 35% of the inoculum adhered to pyrite and chalcopyrite within 2 h, respectively. Cells ofAcidianussp. DSM 29099 were heterogeneously distributed on both pyrite and chalcopyrite surfaces, while large mineral surfaces remained uncolonized. Biofilm cells on pyrite were often found to be embeded in EPS. EPS residues like mannose and glucose were possibly involved in intial attachment to pyrite. A mature biofilm on pyrite was developed after 2-4 days of incubation.

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (21) ◽  
pp. 8863
Author(s):  
Jie Mei ◽  
Huize Chen ◽  
Qiang Liao ◽  
Abdul-Sattar Nizami ◽  
Ao Xia ◽  
...  

Dark fermentation of organic wastes, such as food waste and algae, via mixed hydrogen-producing bacteria (HPB) is considered a sustainable approach for hydrogen production. The biofilm system protects microorganisms from the harmful environment and avoids the excessive loss of bacteria caused by washout, which ensures that the dark fermentation process remains stable. In this study, a downflow anaerobic packed-bed reactor was commissioned to investigate the biofilm formation process of mixed HPB under various operational parameters. Scanning electron microscopy indicated changes in surface morphology during the biofilm formation period. Proteins and polysaccharides in extracellular polymeric substances were identified by confocal laser scanning microscopy to reveal their distribution characteristics. A hydraulic retention time of 0.5 d, a substrate concentration of 15 g/L and an HPB inoculum ratio of 35% were identified as the optimal operational parameters for biofilm formation. The diversity of bacteria between suspension and biofilm showed significantly different distributions; Clostridiales and Lactobacillales were identified as the dominant orders in the biofilm formation process. The abundances of Clostridiales and Lactobacillales were 15.1% and 56.2% in the biofilm, respectively.


2018 ◽  
Vol 82 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
MOHAMED A. ALY ◽  
ERIK REIMHULT ◽  
WOLFGANG KNEIFEL ◽  
KONRAD J. DOMIG

ABSTRACT Cronobacter spp. are opportunistic human pathogens that cause serious diseases in neonates and immunocompromised people. Owing to their biofilm formation on various surfaces, both their detection and their removal from production plants constitute a major challenge. In this study, food samples were randomly collected in Austria and examined for the presence of Cronobacter spp. Presumptive isolates were identified by a polyphasic approach. Five percent of the samples were positive for C. sakazakii and 2.4% for C. dublinensis. Individual growth of the isolates was characterized based on lag time, growth rate, and generation time. During an incubation period of 6 to 72 h, biofilm formation of 11 selected isolates was quantified under model conditions by a crystal violet staining assay with 96-well plates with different carbon sources (lactose, glucose, maltose, sucrose, and sodium acetate) and NaCl levels and under variable temperature and pH conditions. Biofilm formation was more pronounced at lactose concentrations between 0.25 and 3% compared with 5% lactose, which lead to thinner layers. C. sakazakii isolate C7, isolated from infant milk powder, was the strongest biofilm producer at 10 mM Mg2+ and 5 mM Mn2+, 0.5% sodium acetate, at pH levels between 7 and 9 at 37°C for 24 h. C. sakazakii strain C6 isolated from a plant air filter was identified as a moderate biofilm former and C. sakazakii strain DSM 4485, a clinical isolate, as a weak biofilm former. Based on PCR detection, genes bcsA, bcsB, and bcsG encoding for cellulose could be identified as markers for biofilm formation. Isolates carrying bcsA and bcsB showed significantly stronger biofilm formation than isolates without these genes (P < 0.05), in strong correlation with the results obtained in the crystal violet assay. Further investigations using confocal laser scanning microscopy revealed that extracellular polymeric substances and glycocalyx secretions were the dominating components of the biofilms and that the viable fraction of bacteria in the biofilm decreased over time.


Microbiology ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 152 (10) ◽  
pp. 2909-2918 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heike Laue ◽  
Alexander Schenk ◽  
Hongqiao Li ◽  
Lotte Lambertsen ◽  
Thomas R. Neu ◽  
...  

Exopolysaccharides (EPSs) play important roles in the attachment of bacterial cells to a surface and/or in building and maintaining the three-dimensional, complex structure of bacterial biofilms. To elucidate the spatial distribution and function of the EPSs levan and alginate during biofilm formation, biofilms of Pseudomonas syringae strains with different EPS patterns were compared. The mucoid strain PG4180.muc, which produces levan and alginate, and its levan- and/or alginate-deficient derivatives all formed biofilms in the wells of microtitre plates and in flow chambers. Confocal laser scanning microscopy with fluorescently labelled lectins was applied to investigate the spatial distribution of levan and an additional as yet unknown EPS in flow-chamber biofilms. Concanavalin A (ConA) bound specifically to levan and accumulated in cell-depleted voids in the centres of microcolonies and in blebs. No binding of ConA was observed in biofilms of the levan-deficient mutants or in wild-type biofilms grown in the absence of sucrose as confirmed by an enzyme-linked lectin-sorbent assay using peroxidase-linked ConA. Time-course studies revealed that expression of the levan-forming enzyme, levansucrase, occurred mainly during early exponential growth of both planktonic and sessile cells. Thus, accumulation of levan in biofilm voids hints to a function as a nutrient storage source for later stages of biofilm development. The presence of a third EPS besides levan and alginate was indicated by binding of the lectin from Naja mossambica to a fibrous structure in biofilms of all P. syringae derivatives. Production of the as yet uncharacterized additional EPS might be more important for biofilm formation than the syntheses of levan and alginate.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Kuschmierz ◽  
Martin Meyer ◽  
Benjamin Meyer ◽  
Sonja-Verena Albers ◽  
Christopher Bräsen ◽  
...  

<p>Archaea, representatives of the third domain of life, are often referred to as “extremophiles” since most of the cultivable species are adapted to extreme environments [1]. However, environmental cultivation-independent approaches (metagenomics) revealed a wide distribution of Archaea in moderate habitats suggesting a major role in geochemical processes. Similar to Bacteria, also Archaea are believed to exist predominantly in the biofilm mode, but knowledge about archaeal biofilm formation and structure, extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) composition and synthesis is scarce [2].</p> <p><em>Sulfolobus acidocaldarius</em> is a thermoacidophilic, aerobic Crenarchaeon (78°C and pH 2-3) that was isolated from acid hot springs [3]. The organism is easy to cultivate under laboratory conditions and a genetic system is established. In this study, we investigate <em>S. acidocaldarius</em> biofilms with a special focus on synthesis and transport of exopolysaccharides (PS). PS constitute a major EPS component beside proteins and eDNA, suggesting an important role in <em>Sulfolobus</em> biofilms, and changes in PS composition were observed in response to environmental stress [4]. A gene cluster encoding several glycosyltransferases (GTs) as well as membrane proteins (MPs), likely involved in exopolysaccharide synthesis, was identified in <em>S. acidocaldarius</em>. Several deletion mutants have been constructed lacking certain GT and MP encoding genes from the PS gene cluster. A combination of methods including the quantification of biofilm formation, isolation and quantification of EPS components, visualization of biofilm and PS structures via confocal laser scanning microscopy as well as molecular and biochemical techniques have been applied to compare biofilm characteristics of wildtype and mutant strains. First insight into the function of GTs and MPs will be presented and a model of PS synthesis and export will be proposed.</p> <p>[1] Schocke et al. (2019).<em> Curr. Opin. in Biotechnol.</em> 59, 71-77.</p> <p>[2] van Wolferen et al. (2018). <em>Nature Rev. Microbiol.</em> 16(11), 699-713.</p> <p>[3] Brock et al. (1972). <em>Arch. Mikrobiol.</em> 84, 54-68.</p> <p>[4] Jachlewski et al. (2015). <em>Front. Bioeng. Biotechnol.</em> 3, 123.</p> <p> </p>


2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (01) ◽  
pp. 5218
Author(s):  
Laxmi Mohandas ◽  
Anju T. R. ◽  
Sarita G. Bhat*

An assortment of redox-active phenazine compounds like pyocyanin with their characteristic blue-green colour are synthesized by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Gram-negative opportunistic pathogens, which are also considered one of the most commercially valuable microorganisms. In this study, pyocyanin from Pseudomonas aeruginosa BTRY1 from food sample was assessed for its antibiofilm activity by micro titer plate assay against strong biofilm producers belonging to the genera Bacillus, Staphylococcus, Brevibacterium and Micrococcus. Pyocyanin inhibited biofilm activity in very minute concentrations. This was also confirmed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM). Both SEM and CLSM helped to visualize the biocontrol of biofilm formation by eight pathogens. The imaging and quantification by CLSM also established the impact of pyocyanin on biofilm-biocontrol mainly in the food industry.


2010 ◽  
Vol 59 (10) ◽  
pp. 1225-1234 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. M. H. N. Bandara ◽  
O. L. T. Lam ◽  
R. M. Watt ◽  
L. J. Jin ◽  
L. P. Samaranayake

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the bacterial endotoxin LPS on Candida biofilm formation in vitro. The effect of the LPS of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Serratia marcescens and Salmonella typhimurium on six different species of Candida, comprising Candida albicans ATCC 90028, Candida glabrata ATCC 90030, Candida krusei ATCC 6258, Candida tropicalis ATCC 13803, Candida parapsilosis ATCC 22019 and Candida dubliniensis MYA 646, was studied using a standard biofilm assay. The metabolic activity of in vitro Candida biofilms treated with LPS at 90 min, 24 h and 48 h was quantified by XTT reduction assay. Viable biofilm-forming cells were qualitatively analysed using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), while scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was employed to visualize the biofilm structure. Initially, adhesion of C. albicans was significantly stimulated by Pseudomonas and Klebsiella LPS. A significant inhibition of Candida adhesion was noted for the following combinations: C. glabrata with Pseudomonas LPS, C. tropicalis with Serratia LPS, and C. glabrata, C. parapsilosis or C. dubliniensis with Salmonella LPS (P<0.05). After 24 h of incubation, a significant stimulation of initial colonization was noted for the following combinations: C. albicans/C. glabrata with Klebsiella LPS, C. glabrata/C. tropicalis/C. krusei with Salmonella LPS. In contrast, a significant inhibition of biofilm formation was observed in C. glabrata/C. dubliniensis/C. krusei with Pseudomonas LPS, C. krusei with Serratia LPS, C. dubliniensis with Klebsiella LPS and C. parapsilosis/C. dubliniensis /C. krusei with Salmonella LPS (P<0.05). On further incubation for 48 h, a significant enhancement of biofilm maturation was noted for the following combinations: C. glabrata/C. tropicalis with Serratia LPS, C. dubliniensis with Klebsiella LPS and C. glabrata with Salmonella LPS, and a significant retardation was noted for C. parapsilosis/C. dubliniensis/C. krusei with Pseudomonas LPS, C. tropicalis with Serratia LPS, C. glabrata/C. parapsilosis/C. dubliniensis with Klebsiella LPS and C. dubliniensis with Salmonella LPS (P<0.05). These findings were confirmed by SEM and CLSM analyses. In general, the inhibition of the biofilm development of LPS-treated Candida spp. was accompanied by a scanty architecture with a reduced numbers of cells compared with the profuse and densely colonized control biofilms. These data are indicative that bacterial LPSs modulate in vitro Candida biofilm formation in a species-specific and time-dependent manner. The clinical and the biological relevance of these findings have yet to be explored.


2017 ◽  
Vol 63 (7) ◽  
pp. 608-620 ◽  
Author(s):  
Siyuan Chang ◽  
Xiaodong Chen ◽  
Shuo Jiang ◽  
Jinchun Chen ◽  
Lin Shi

Biofilm is a biological complex caused by bacteria attachment to the substrates and their subsequent reproduction and secretion. This phenomenon reduces heat transfer efficiency and causes significant losses in treated sewage heat-recovering systems. This paper describes a physical approach to inhibit bacteria settlement and biofilm formation by Bacillus subtilis, which is the dominant species in treated sewage. Here, micro-patterned surfaces with different characteristics (stripe and cube) and dimensions (1–100 μm) were fabricated as surfaces of interest. Model sewage was prepared and a rotating coupon device was used to form the biofilms. Precision balance, scanning electron microscopy, and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) were employed to investigate the inhibitory effects and the mechanisms of the biofilm–surface interactions. The results have shown that surfaces with small pattern sizes (1 and 2 μm) all reduced biofilm formation significantly. Interestingly, the CLSM images showed that the surfaces do not play a role in “killing” the bacteria. These findings are useful for future development of new process surfaces on which bacteria settlement and biofilm formation can be inhibited or minimized.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Ghods ◽  
Ian Sims ◽  
MF Moradali ◽  
BHA Rehma

© 2015, American Society for Microbiology. Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae is the major cause of bacterial canker and is a severe threat to kiwifruit production worldwide. Many aspects of the disease caused by P. syringae pv. actinidiae, such as the pathogenicity-relevant formation of a biofilm composed of extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs), are still unknown. Here, a highly virulent strain of P. syringae pv. actinidiae, NZ V-13, was studied with respect to biofilm formation and architecture using a flow cell system combined with confocal laser scanning microscopy. The biofilm formed by P. syringae pv. actinidiae NZ V-13 was heterogeneous, consisting of a thin cellular base layer 5 μm thick and microcolonies with irregular structures. The major component of the EPSs produced by P. syringae pv. actinidiae NZ V-13 bacteria was isolated and identified to be an exopolysaccharide. Extensive compositional and structural analysis showed that rhamnose, fucose, and glucose were the major constituents, present at a ratio of 5:1.5:2. Experimental evidence that P. syringae pv. actinidiae NZ V-13 produces two polysaccharides, a branched α-D-rhamnan with side chains of terminal α-D-Fucf and an α-D-1,4-linked glucan, was obtained. The susceptibility of the cells in biofilms to kasugamycin and chlorine dioxide was assessed. About 64 and 73% of P. syringae pv. actinidiae NZ V-13 cells in biofilms were killed when kasugamycin and chlorine dioxide were used at 5 and 10 ppm, respectively. Kasugamycin inhibited the attachment of P. syringae pv. actinidiae NZ V-13 to solid surfaces at concentrations of 80 and 100 ppm. Kasugamycin was bacteriostatic against P. syringae pv. actinidiae NZ V-13 growth in the planktonic mode, with the MIC being 40 to 60 ppm and a bactericidal effect being found at 100 ppm. Here we studied the formation, architecture, and composition of P. syringae pv. actinidiae biofilms as well as used the biofilm as a model to assess the efficacies of bactericidal compounds.


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