Streptomyces lunalinharesii 235 prevents the formation of a sulfate-reducing bacterial biofilm

Abstract

Streptomyces lunalinharesii strain 235 produces an antimicrobial substance that is active against sulfate reducing bacteria, the major bacterial group responsible for biofilm formation and biocorrosion in petroleum reservoirs. The use of this antimicrobial substance for sulfate reducing bacteria control is therefore a promising alternative to chemical biocides. In this study the antimicrobial substance did not interfere with the biofilm stability, but the sulfate reducing bacteria biofilm formation was six-fold smaller in carbon steel coupons treated with the antimicrobial substance when compared to the untreated control. A reduction in the most probable number counts of planktonic cells of sulfate reducing bacteria was observed after treatments with the sub-minimal inhibitory concentration, minimal inhibitory concentration, and supra-minimal inhibitory concentration of the antimicrobial substance. Additionally, when the treated coupons were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, the biofilm formation was found to be substantially reduced when the supra-minimal inhibitory concentration of the antimicrobial substance was used. The coupons used for the biofilm formation had a small weight loss after antimicrobial substance treatment, but corrosion damage was not observed by scanning electron microscopy. The absence of the dsrA gene fragment in the scraped cell suspension after treatment with the supra-minimal inhibitory concentration of the antimicrobial substance suggests that Desulfovibrio alaskensis was not able to adhere to the coupons. This is the first report on an antimicrobial substance produced by Streptomyces active against sulfate reducing bacteria biofilm formation. The application of antimicrobial substance as a potential biocide for sulfate reducing bacteria growth control could be of great interest to the petroleum industry.

Sulphate-reducing bacterial community structure from produced water of the Periquito and Galo de Campina onshore oilfields in Brazil

“…Strains from the genus Desulfovibrio are established sulphide producers and thus represent a major concern for the oil and gas industry 62 , 63 . What stands out immediately from the results is the importance of the Desulfovibrio 64 , 65 . Desulfovibrio are known to cause corrosion, hydrogen sulphide production, souring and biofouling within the operational plants 71 , 72 .…”

Gene Sets and Mechanisms of Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria Biofilm Formation and Quorum Sensing With Impact on Corrosion

“…They investigated P. aeruginosa mutants, defective in rhamnolipids production, to determine the biochemical basis of SRB biofilm dispersal and concluded that rhamnolipids play a role in the dispersal of SRB biofilm (Wood et al, 2018). In addition, antimicrobial substances (AMS) produced by Streptomyces lunalinharesii strain 235 have shown to be effective against D. alaskensis NCIMB 13491 biofilm on carbon steel surfaces (Pacheco da Rosa et al, 2013;Rosa et al, 2016). The ability of D. alaskensis to form biofilm was sixfold less in the carbon steel coupons treated with AMS (0.05 g protein/ml) than the non-treated ones (Rosa et al, 2016).…”

Desulfovibrio and Pseudomonas Dominated Enriched Produced Water Reinforcing their Importance in Oilfields and Production Processes

“…This happens because a limited number of dominant genera are responsible for the Order level diversity. What stands out immediately is the importance of the Desulfovibrio sequences 40,54 . Desulfovibrio impact negatively causing corrosion, hydrogen production, souring and biofouling caused by bio lm formation within the operational plants.…”