Action of antimicrobial substances produced by different oil reservoir Bacillus strains against biofilm formation

Abstract

Microbial colonization of petroleum industry systems takes place through the formation of biofilms, and can result in biodeterioration of the metal surfaces. In a previous study, two oil reservoir Bacillus strains (Bacillus licheniformis T6-5 and Bacillus firmus H(2)O-1) were shown to produce antimicrobial substances (AMS) active against different Bacillus strains and a consortium of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) on solid medium. However, neither their ability to form biofilms nor the effect of the AMS on biofilm formation was adequately addressed. Therefore, here, we report that three Bacillus strains (Bacillus pumilus LF4 -- used as an indicator strain, B. licheniformis T6-5, and B. firmus H(2)O-1), and an oil reservoir SRB consortium (T6lab) were grown as biofilms on glass surfaces. The AMS produced by strains T6-5 and H(2)O-1 prevented the formation of B. pumilus LF4 biofilm and also eliminated pre-established LF4 biofilm. In addition, the presence of AMS produced by H(2)O-1 reduced the viability and attachment of the SRB consortium biofilm by an order of magnitude. Our results suggest that the AMS produced by Bacillus strains T6-5 and H(2)O-1 may have a potential for pipeline-cleaning technologies to inhibit biofilm formation and consequently reduce biocorrosion.

A Broad-Spectrum Antimicrobial Activity ofBacillus subtilisRLID 12.1

“…[8, 17]. Our observation on the heat-stability profile and resistance to enzymes was also supported by a highly heat-stable (100°C for 1 h) antibacterial peptide produced by a Brazilian oil isolate Bacillus firmus H 2 O-1 that was found to be resistant to proteases and was stable at alkaline pH [25]. Chemical treatments with surfactants, metal salts, and EDTA did not cause any adverse effect on biological activity.…”

Efficiency of refinery sludge biodegradation using municipal wastewater and activated sludge and effect of hydrocarbon concentration on culturable bacteria community

“…Some studies have demonstrated that these species are hydrocarbon degraders, and one strain of B. firmus has already been isolated from oil reservoirs (Korenblum et al 2008). Crawford (1975) report that B. megaterium is able to use 2-chlorobenzene as a substrate.…”

Identification and Molecular Characterization of Bacteria Having Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Activity

“…Bacteriocin from Bacillus species are of interest because of their broader range of activity including Gram negative bacteria and fungi [27]. Bacteriocin like inhibitory substance from Bacillus species has been reported for its antimicrobial activity and antibiofilm potential [28]. Sonorensin, a bacteriocin isolated from marine isolate Bacillus sonorensis, has exhibited S. aureus biofilm inhibition and since it could target both multiplying and non-multiplying bacteria, the resistance could not be developed against it [29].…”