An improvised microtiter dish biofilm assay for non-invasive biofilm detection on microbial fuel cell anodes and studying biofilm growth conditions

Abstract

Microbial life is predominantly observed as biofilms, which are a sessile aggregation of microbial cells formed in response to stress conditions. The microtiter dish biofilm formation assay is one of the most important methods of studying biofilm formation. In this study, the assay has been improvised to allow easy detection of biofilm formation on different substrata. The method has then been used to study growth conditions that affect biofilm formation, viz., the effect of pH, temperature, shaking conditions, and the carbon source provided. Glass, cellulose acetate, and carbon cloth materials were used as substrata to study biofilm development under the above conditions. The method was then extended to determine biofilm formation on the anodes of a microbial fuel cell in order to study the effect of biofilm formation on power production. A high correlation was observed between biofilm formation and power density (r = 0.951). When the electrode containing a biofilm was replaced with another electrode without biofilm, the average power density dropped from 59.55 to 5.76 mW/m 2 . This method offers an easy way to study the suitability of different materials to support biofilm formation. Growth conditions determining biofilm formation can be studied using this method. This method also offers a non-invasive way to determine biofilm formation on anodes of microbial fuel cells and preserves the anode for further studies.

Candida albicans biofilm formation and growth optimization for functional studies using response surface methodology

“…Identifying the right conditions for biofilm formation in dimorphic species has always been a challenge. Biofilm formed by C. albicans is affected by different growth parameters such as temperature, pH, shaker speed, etc (Aiyer & Vijayakumar, 2019). Some studies show C. albicans biofilm formation was observed even at 42°C, but filamentous growth was not observed when grown at lower temperatures of 25°C (Du et al, 2012;Pumeesat et al, 2017).…”

“…Biofilm formed by C . albicans is affected by different growth parameters such as temperature, pH, shaker speed, etc (Aiyer & Vijayakumar, 2019). Some studies show C .…”

Synergistic effects in a microbial fuel cell between co-cultures and a photosynthetic alga Chlorella vulgaris improve performance

“…Acetate concentration was estimated at 450 nm using a colorimetric assay kit as per the manufacturer's instructions (Sigma-Aldrich). Biofilm formation was determined using the microtiter dish biofilm formation assay as follows [ 14 ]. The bacterial cultures were diluted 1:100 times and 100 μl of the diluted cultures were each pipetted into 96 well flat-bottom microtiter plate.…”

A microplate‐based Response Surface Methodology model for growth optimization and biofilm formation on polystyrene polymeric material in a Candida albicans and Escherichia coli co‐culture

“…Biofilm formation in vitro is influenced by various physical as well as biological parameters. Several growth parameters like temperature, incubation time, media pH, and media composition affect biofilm formation 26 . In addition, biofilm formation is also dependent on the choice of the biomaterial, the nutritional sources mainly the carbon and nitrogen sources and also their concentrations 27 …”

“…Several growth parameters like temperature, incubation time, media pH, and media composition affect biofilm formation. 26 In addition, biofilm formation is also dependent on the choice of the biomaterial, the nutritional sources mainly the carbon and nitrogen sources and also their concentrations. 27 Media optimization employing One Variable at a time (OVAT) or single factor at a time is laborious and involves many experiments.…”