The Use of 3D Optical Coherence Tomography to Analyze the Architecture of Cyanobacterial Biofilms Formed on a Carbon Nanotube Composite

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2022

Authors

Maria João Romeu (Author) FEUP; Lima, M (Author) Other; Luciana Gomes (Author) FEUP; de Jong, ED (Author) Other; Morais, J (Author) Other; Vitor Vasconcelos (Author) FCUP; Pereira, MFR (Author) Other; Soares, OSGP (Author) Other; Sjollema, J (Author) Other; Filipe Mergulhão (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: Polymers

Vol. 11 No. 5 Article number 923

Final page: 4410

Publisher: MDPI

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 6 Citations

Scopus - 6 Citations

Associated Projects

ALiCE - ALiCE - Laboratório Associado em Engenharia Química

LEPABE - Financiamento Plurianual 2020-2023 da Unidade de I&D LEPABE - Laboratório de Engenharia de Processos, Ambiente, Biotecnologia e Energia

NanoCAT - NanoCAT - Utilização de nanotubos de carbono modificados para combater infecções em catéteres urinários e stents

SurfSAFE - Surface modification to increase microbial SAFEty in the food industry

Healthy Waters - Healthy Waters - Identification, Elimination, Social Awareness and Education of Water Chemical and Biological Micropollutants with Health and Environmental Implications

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00X-BFD

DOI: 10.3390/polym14204410

Abstract (EN): The development of environmentally friendly antifouling strategies for marine applications is of paramount importance, and the fabrication of innovative nanocomposite coatings is a promising approach. Moreover, since Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is a powerful imaging technique in biofilm science, the improvement of its analytical power is required to better evaluate the biofilm structure under different scenarios. In this study, the effect of carbon nanotube (CNT)-modified surfaces in cyanobacterial biofilm development was assessed over a long-term assay under controlled hydrodynamic conditions. Their impact on the cyanobacterial biofilm architecture was evaluated by novel parameters obtained from three-dimensional (3D) OCT analysis, such as the contour coefficient, total biofilm volume, biovolume, volume of non-connected pores, and the average size of non-connected pores. The results showed that CNTs incorporated into a commercially used epoxy resin (CNT composite) had a higher antifouling effect at the biofilm maturation stage compared to pristine epoxy resin. Along with a delay in biofilm development, a decrease in biofilm wet weight, thickness, and biovolume was also achieved with the CNT composite compared to epoxy resin and glass (control surfaces). Additionally, biofilms developed on the CNT composite were smoother and presented a lower porosity and a strictly packed structure when compared with those formed on the control surfaces. The novel biofilm parameters obtained from 3D OCT imaging are extremely important when evaluating the biofilm architecture and behavior under different scenarios beyond marine applications.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 18