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Early biofilm and streamer formation is mediated by wall shear stress and surface wettability: a multifactorial microfluidic study

Early biofilm and streamer formation is mediated by wall shear stress and surface wettability: a multifactorial microfluidic study
Early biofilm and streamer formation is mediated by wall shear stress and surface wettability: a multifactorial microfluidic study

Biofilms are intricate communities of microorganisms encapsulated within a self-produced matrix of extra-polymeric substances (EPS), creating complex three-dimensional structures allowing for liquid and nutrient transport through them. These aggregations offer constituent microorganisms enhanced protection from environmental stimuli-like fluid flow-and are also associated with higher resistance to antimicrobial compounds, providing a persistent cause of concern in numerous sectors like the marine (biofouling and aquaculture), medical (infections and antimicrobial resistance), dentistry (plaque on teeth), food safety, as well as causing energy loss and corrosion. Recent studies have demonstrated that biofilms interact with microplastics, often influencing their pathway to higher trophic levels. Previous research has shown that initial bacterial attachment is affected by surface properties. Using a microfluidic flow cell, we have investigated the relationship between both wall shear stress (τw ) and surface properties (surface wettability) upon biofilm formation of two species (Cobetia marina and Pseudomonas aeruginosa). We investigated biofilm development on low-density polyethylene (LDPE) membranes, Permanox® slides, and glass slides, using nucleic acid staining and end-point confocal laser scanning microscopy. The results show that flow conditions affect biomass, maximum thickness, and surface area of biofilms, with higher τw (5.6 Pa) resulting in thinner biofilms than lower τw (0.2 Pa). In addition, we observed differences in biofilm development across the surfaces tested, with LDPE typically demonstrating more overall biofilm in comparison to Permanox® and glass. Moreover, we demonstrate the formation of biofilm streamers under laminar flow conditions within straight micro-channels.

Biofilms, Microfluidics, Plastics, Polyethylene, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Wettability
2045-8827
Chun, Alexander L.M.
80135204-24e2-4c8b-be50-b03df95b959d
Mosayyebi, Ali
ab9cf6da-58c4-4441-993b-7d03d5d3549a
Butt, Arthur
381a0c45-e817-4f3c-90d9-3f8cf020fd12
Carugo, Dario
cf740d40-75f2-4073-9c6e-6fcf649512ca
Salta, Maria
9d62d115-8e0d-486d-ae46-c61f596aba85
Chun, Alexander L.M.
80135204-24e2-4c8b-be50-b03df95b959d
Mosayyebi, Ali
ab9cf6da-58c4-4441-993b-7d03d5d3549a
Butt, Arthur
381a0c45-e817-4f3c-90d9-3f8cf020fd12
Carugo, Dario
cf740d40-75f2-4073-9c6e-6fcf649512ca
Salta, Maria
9d62d115-8e0d-486d-ae46-c61f596aba85

Chun, Alexander L.M., Mosayyebi, Ali, Butt, Arthur, Carugo, Dario and Salta, Maria (2022) Early biofilm and streamer formation is mediated by wall shear stress and surface wettability: a multifactorial microfluidic study. MicrobiologyOpen, 11 (4), [e1310]. (doi:10.1002/mbo3.1310).

Record type: Article

Abstract

Biofilms are intricate communities of microorganisms encapsulated within a self-produced matrix of extra-polymeric substances (EPS), creating complex three-dimensional structures allowing for liquid and nutrient transport through them. These aggregations offer constituent microorganisms enhanced protection from environmental stimuli-like fluid flow-and are also associated with higher resistance to antimicrobial compounds, providing a persistent cause of concern in numerous sectors like the marine (biofouling and aquaculture), medical (infections and antimicrobial resistance), dentistry (plaque on teeth), food safety, as well as causing energy loss and corrosion. Recent studies have demonstrated that biofilms interact with microplastics, often influencing their pathway to higher trophic levels. Previous research has shown that initial bacterial attachment is affected by surface properties. Using a microfluidic flow cell, we have investigated the relationship between both wall shear stress (τw ) and surface properties (surface wettability) upon biofilm formation of two species (Cobetia marina and Pseudomonas aeruginosa). We investigated biofilm development on low-density polyethylene (LDPE) membranes, Permanox® slides, and glass slides, using nucleic acid staining and end-point confocal laser scanning microscopy. The results show that flow conditions affect biomass, maximum thickness, and surface area of biofilms, with higher τw (5.6 Pa) resulting in thinner biofilms than lower τw (0.2 Pa). In addition, we observed differences in biofilm development across the surfaces tested, with LDPE typically demonstrating more overall biofilm in comparison to Permanox® and glass. Moreover, we demonstrate the formation of biofilm streamers under laminar flow conditions within straight micro-channels.

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Accepted/In Press date: 29 July 2022
e-pub ahead of print date: 16 August 2022
Keywords: Biofilms, Microfluidics, Plastics, Polyethylene, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Wettability

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 493143
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/493143
ISSN: 2045-8827
PURE UUID: 41d9b432-86b5-486b-918b-dbd1b860e8f5
ORCID for Ali Mosayyebi: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0003-0901-6546

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Date deposited: 23 Aug 2024 16:53
Last modified: 14 Dec 2024 02:54

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Contributors

Author: Alexander L.M. Chun
Author: Ali Mosayyebi ORCID iD
Author: Arthur Butt
Author: Dario Carugo
Author: Maria Salta

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