Biofilms: Problems and Trends in Research Activity. Part I: Biofilm Carriers

Abstract

The research results published in the last 20 years in the field of biofilms are reviewed in this study. The information available was treated from the point of view of the system approach. On the basis of this approach, the biofilm system is decomposed into three subsystems -carrier, biofilm and fluids in the vicinity of the biofilm. This allows to summarize the knowledge on each of the subsystems and to reveal the relationships and interactions between them. In this first part of the study, the knowledge on biofilm carriers will be critically discussed.

Immobilization of Clostridium acetobutylicum onto natural textiles and its fermentation properties

“…In addition to surface chemical groups, topography and regularity have been shown to be associated with biofilm conformation (Leenen et al, 1996;Mamatarkova et al, 2014). These features can be attributed to enthalpic gains associated with polymer mobility and to weak interactions between the microbial and alternating surface that limit these enthalpic gains.…”

“…The connection between the cell and carrier is typically mediated by electrostatic forces or covalent binding (Dolej s et al, 2014;Habouzit et al, 2014;Choi et al, 2015;Zhuang et al, 2016a). In this type of immobilization, the carriers are usually cellulosic or inorganic materials and can be modified by polycations, chitosan or other chemicals to enhance adsorption ability (Kayastha and Srivastava, 2001;Mamatarkova et al, 2014;Zhuang et al, 2016b). Cellulosic materials are easy to obtain, maintain high mechanical stability and have a high surface area rich in hydroxyl groups for modification (Baiardo et al, 2002;Belgacem and Gandini, 2005;Dankovich and Hsieh, 2007;de Oliveira Taipina et al, 2012;Tarbuk et al, 2014).…”

Piscirickettsia salmonis forms a biofilm on nylon surface using a CDC Biofilm Reactor

“…Biofilm formation by P . salmonis LF‐89 was assessed on 6 removable coupons (1.27 cm diameter and 0.3 cm thickness) of Nylon, Stainless steel (316L), Polycarbonate and HDPE (Mamatarkova et al., 2002). The CDC Biofilm Reactor was shaken only with ASB medium for 96 h at 75 rpm to ensure the sterility of the medium and the components of the reactor.…”

“…Biofilm formation by P. salmonis LF-89 was assessed on 6 removable coupons (1.27 cm diameter and 0.3 cm thickness) of Nylon, Stainless steel (316L), Polycarbonate and HDPE (Mamatarkova et al, 2002).…”

Biogas Production from Organic Wastes in Suspeded Cell Cultures and in Biofilms

“…When it concerns to the biofilm reactors, the changes of nature of the whole bioprocess system are substantial, because the presence of fixed cells on the solid carrier surface modifies or can basically alter the nature of the bioagent -microbial consortium. The biofilm formation and functioning passes many stages, characterized by different space-time interactions (16,23,20,21). The biofilms themselves are self-organized biological systems existing under "in vitro" conditions in the bioreactors (13,20,21), that must be taken into account in the experiment realization.…”