The influence of nickel on the adhesion ability of Desulfovibrio desulfuricans

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2005

Authors

Lopes, FA (Author) Other; Morin, P (Author) Other; Oliveira, R (Author) Other; L. F. Melo (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces

Vol. 46 No. 2

Pages: 127-133

ISSN: 0927-7765

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 30 Citations

ISI Web of Science

Scopus - 46 Citations

INSPEC

COMPENDEX

Scientific classification

FOS: Engineering and technology > Other engineering and technologies

CORDIS: Physical sciences > Physics > Biophysics

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-000-02A

DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2005.07.020

Abstract (EN): The build-up of biofilms on metals surfaces may lead to severe corrosion, especially in the presence of sulphate-reducing bacteria (SRB). To prevent the deterioration of material caused by biofilms it is necessary to understand the processes governing biofilm development including mechanisms of cell adhesion. Additionally, corrosion of metallic surfaces due to bacteria may lead to the dissolution of metallic elements that may further affect adhesion and biofilm development. A study was carried out to evaluate how the presence of nickel in the substrata affects the adhesion ability of Desulfovibrio desulfuricans. The substrata tested were stainless steel 304 (SS), metallic nickel (Ni) and polymethylmetacrylate (PMMA), a non-metallic material used as control. The influence of nickel on SRB growth and its relation to adhesion was also checked. A statistically significant difference in the number of adhered cells to the materials tested was detected, with higher bacterial number on nickel, followed by SS and finally by PMMA. The higher number of SRB adhered to steel compared with PMMA may be explained by differences in hydrophobicity, in roughness and in the electron-acceptor character of the substrata. Additionally, bacterial growth was found to be positively affected by the presence of nickel as revealed by a significant increase in the specific growth rate of SRB in the presence of increased nickel concentrations.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 7