The effect of hydrodynamic conditions on the phenotype of Pseudomonas fluorescens biofilms

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2007

Authors

Manuel Simoes (Author) Other; Maria O Pereira (Author) Other; Sanna Sillankorva (Author) Other; Joana Azeredo (Author) Other; Maria J Vieira (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Biofouling

Vol. 23

Pages: 249-258

ISSN: 0892-7014

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 63 Citations

Scopus - 78 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Natural sciences > Biological sciences

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-004-CM2

DOI: 10.1080/08927010701368476

Abstract (EN): This study investigated the phenotypic characteristics of monoculture P. fluorescens biofilms grown under turbulent and laminar flow, using flow cells reactors with stainless steel substrata. The cellular physiology and the overall biofilm activity, structure and composition were characterized, and compared, within hydrodynamically distinct conditions. The results indicate that turbulent flow-generated biofilm cells were significantly less extensive, with decreased metabolic activity and a lower protein and polysaccharides composition per cell than those from laminar flow-generated biofilms. The effect of flow regime did not cause significantly different outer membrane protein expression. From the analysis of biofilm activity, structure and composition, turbulent flow-generated biofilms were metabolically more active, had twice more mass per cm 2, and higher cellular density and protein content (mainly cellular) than laminar flow-generated biofilms. Conversely, laminar flow- generated biofilms presented higher total and matrix polysaccharide contents. Direct visualisation and scanning electron microscopy analysis showed that these different flows generate structurally different biofilms, corroborating the quantitative results. The combination of applied methods provided useful information regarding a broad spectrum of biofilm parameters, which can contribute to control and model biofilm processes.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 10