MCB 150-C

Group 6
  Biologically active matrix of
cells and extracellular
products attached to a solid
surface

 Microbial community
forming a slimy layer on a
surface
BIOFILM
BIOFILM
 Assemblage of organisms
that can be of different or
same species held together
by “extracellular polymeric
substances” or EPS which
allows them to develop
complex three dimensional,
resilient, attached
communities.
 Where to find?
 Develop in all kinds of surfaces where there is
moisture and nutrients.
 Although bacteria require aqueous conditions for
growth, they will adhere to any surface be it
inorganic, living or dead materials, or organic
remains.
 TYPE OF SUBSTRATUM
 Inert surfaces
› Community water
system pipes
› Sulfide tailings and acid
mine drainage system
› Industrial waste
treatment machines
 TYPE OF SUBSTRATUM

 Living cell surfaces

› Plant root system
› Ruminant digestive tract
› Biliary system
› Urinary tract
› Teeth
 BIOFILM- FORMING ORGANISM

 Able to exploit essential

nutrients which
accumulate in the form of
ions and macromolecules at
the surface-water interface
giving them a distinct
ecological advantage in an
otherwise nutritionally
unfavorable environment
(Brown et al., 1981)
 BIOFILM- FORMING
ORGANISM
 Some examples are:
› Staphylococcus aureus - catheters and surgical
implants
› Streptococcus mutans - dental plaques
› Candida albicans – catheters, contact lenses
› Coloechaete scutata, Choleochaete soluta - colony
proliferation on the surface of polyethylene (plastics)
BIOFILM- FORMING ORGANISM
 Pseudomonas
aeruginosa is a
common "pioneer“
bacteria which can
adhere to stainless
steel, even to
electropolished
surfaces, within 30
seconds of exposure.
STRUCTURE
 Heterogeneous structure which includes cell clusters,
void spaces, water channels, end slime streamers
that are affected by flow of the fluid surrounding the
biofilm
 Formation
 Biofilm formation is affected by:
› Surface material
› Smoothness
› Flow velocity
› Nutrient availability
 Formation

1. Surface conditioning
2. Adhesion of “pioneer” bacteria
3. Slime formation
4. Secondary colonizer
5. Fully functioning biofilm
 Surface Conditioning

 First, organic
molecules adhere to
the surface and they
neutralize the surface
charge which may
repel approaching
bacteria.
 Adhesion of pioneer bacteria

 Planktonic (free-
floating) bacteria first
attach themselves by
electrostatic attraction
and physical forces.
Some of these cells will
permanently adhere to
the surface with their
extracellular organic
matrix.
Slime Formation
 Extracellular polymers consisting
of charged and neutral
polysaccharide groups cement
the cell and act as an ion
exchange system for trapping and
concentrating trace nutrients
 Accumulation of nutrients
promotes reproduction of pioneer
cells. The daughter cells then
produce their own exopolymers,
greatly increasing the volume of
ion exchange surface.
Secondary colonizers
 The exopolymer web snares
other types of microbial
cells through physical
restraint and electrostatic
interaction. These secondary
colonizers metabolize
wastes from the primary
colonizers as well as
produce their own waste
which other cells then use.
 Interactions involved in biofilms

 Microbe-microbe
interaction
› Production of
metabolites by primary
colonizers may promote
or inhibit secondary
colonizers
› The thicker the biofilm,
the higher the
occurrence of
anaerobiosis is
 Interactions involved in biofilms

 Microbe-surface interaction
› The rate of initial biofilm formation by bacterial
adhesion is to a degree dependent on the chemical
nature of the surface
› Type of bonding that exists between the bacteria and
the substratum must be taken into consideration.
 Quorum Sensing
 The process of communication of bacteria to
respond to local cell density
 Regulates the secretion of sticky extracellular
slime
› Some species use quorum sensing to turn on slime
production at high cell density; while some turn it off.
 Synchronize the expression of specialized gene
systems
Quorum Sensing
 Fully functioning biofilm

 A complex, metabolically cooperative

community made up of different species each
living in a customized microniche.

 The mixed species work cooperatively to carry

out complex tasks which otherwise cannot be
performed by a single species.
 BIOFILMS
 Less susceptible to antimicrobial agents
› The matrix itself protects the cells from coming into
contact with the antimicrobial effect of the agent.
› e.g.
If the antimicrobial agent’s mode of action is oxidizing,
LIFE CYCLE

1: individual cells populate the surface. 2: extracellular polymeric substance

(EPS) is produced and attachment becomes irreversible.
3 & 4: biofilm architecture develops and matures.
5: single cells are released from the biofilm.
 Detachment of biofilm

 Release of bacteria from a biofilm may be due to

production of unattached daughter cells through
attached cell replication. Other factors that
promote detachment are bulk fluid flow, lack of
oxygen, accumulation of toxic waste products,
biological grazing and predator harvesting.
 Implications of biofilm formation

 Increased resistance to
antibiotic and antibacterial
substances
 Resistance towards
disinfecting chlorines
 Metal corrosion due to
sulfate-reducing bacteria
 Dental decay
 Food and water
contamination due to
colonization of pipes
 Applications

 Used in waste water

treatment for degradation
of soluble organic or
nitrogenous waste
 Stabilize soil, either by
acting as cementing
agent or flocculating soil
particles thereby
improving aeration and
water percolation
References:
Bakke, R., Trulear, M.G. Robinson, J.A. and Characklis, W.G.
1984. Activity of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in biofilms:
steady state. Biotechnology and Bioengineering.
Brading, M.G., J. Jass and H.M. Lappin-Scott. 1995.
Dynamics of bacterial biofilm formation. In: H.M. Lappin-
Scott and J.W. Costerton (ed). Microbial biofilms. pp. 15-45.
Cambridge University Press, New York.
Caldwell, D.E. 1995. Cultivation and study of biofilm
communities. In: H.M. Lappin-Scott and J.W. Costerton
(ed). Microbial biofilms. pp. 64-79. Cambridge University
Press, New York.
Donlan, R. Biofilms and Device-Associated Infections.CDC:
Emerging Infectious Diseases. Vol. 7, No. 2 Mar–Apr 2001
References:
Ettinger, M. Advanced Healing. Com Journal. Retrieved 2 September 2010 from
http://www.advancedhealing.com/blog/2009/09/25/dr-ettingers-biofilm-protoc
ol-for-lyme-and-gut-pathogens/

Korber, D.R., J.R. Lawrence, H.M. Lappin-Scott, and J.W. Costerton. 1995.
Growth of microorganisms on surfaces. In: H.M. Lappin-Scott and J.W.
Costerton (ed). Microbial biofilms. pp. 15-45. Cambridge University Press,
New York.

Lappin-Scott, H.M. and J.W. Costerton. 1995. Microbial biofilms. pp. 15-45.
Cambridge University Press, New York.
Marsh, P.D. 1995. Dental plaque. In: H.M. Lappin-Scott and J.W. Costerton (ed).
Microbial biofilms. pp. 15-45. Cambridge University Press, New York.
McArthur, J.V. 2006. Microbial ecology: an evolutionary approach. pp. 257-261.
Elsevier Inc., Burlington, MA, USA.