Adhesion of Biodegradative Anaerobic Bacteria to Solid Surfaces

Abstract

In order to exploit the ability of anaerobic bacteria to degrade certain contaminants for bioremediation of polluted subsurface environments, we need to understand the mechanisms by which such bacteria partition between aqueous and solid phases, as well as the environmental conditions that influence partitioning. We studied four strictly anaerobic bacteria, Desulfomonile tiedjei,Syntrophomonas wolfei, Syntrophobacter wolinii, and Desulfovibrio sp. strain G11, which theoretically together can constitute a tetrachloroethylene- and trichloroethylene-dechlorinating consortium. Adhesion of these organisms was evaluated by microscopic determination of the numbers of cells that attached to glass coverslips exposed to cell suspensions under anaerobic conditions. We studied the effects of the growth phase of the organisms on adhesion, as well as the influence of electrostatic and hydrophobic properties of the substratum. Results indicate thatS. wolfei adheres in considerably higher numbers to glass surfaces than the other three organisms. Starvation greatly decreases adhesion of S. wolfei and Desulfovibrio sp. strain G11 but seems to have less of an effect on the adhesion of the other bacteria. The presence of Fe3+ on the substratum, which would be electropositive, significantly increased the adhesion ofS. wolfei, whereas the presence of silicon hydrophobic groups decreased the numbers of attached cells of all species. Measurements of transport of cells through hydrophobic-interaction and electrostatic-interaction columns indicated that all four species had negatively charged cell surfaces and that D. tiedjei andDesulfovibrio sp. strain G11 possessed some hydrophobic cell surface properties. These findings are an early step toward understanding the dynamic attachment of anaerobic bacteria in anoxic environments.

Dynamics of Coupled Contaminant and Microbial Transport in Heterogeneous Porous Media: Purdue Component

“…Electromagnetic eflects. As found by Schie and Fletcher (1999), negatively charged cell stiaces effect bacteria adhesion to surfaces. As a consequence transport in the aqueous phase will be influenced.…”

Update on infectious risks associated with dental unit waterlines

“…Several environmental factors can affect mono‐ or polymicrobial biofilm formation, such as liquid flow (Marshall, ; Railkin, ), hydrophobicity and electrostatic charge (De Flaun et al ., ; Van Schie & Fletcher, ; Busalmen & de Sanchez, ), pH (McEldowney & Fletcher, ; La Paglia & Hartzell, ), ionic strength (Otto & Silhavy, ), temperature (McEldowney & Fletcher, ), as well as partial oxygen pressure and toxic compounds (Van Schie & Fletcher, ).…”

“…Additionally, biotic factors can be involved in this process. The type of nutrients, their availability and accessibility are able to modulate the initial attachment of microbial cells (Van Schie & Fletcher, ; Stanley et al ., ). Gene regulation as well as the presence of flagella or cilia may also affect the different steps involved during biofilm development (Conlon et al ., ; Otto & Silhavy, ; Jefferson, ; Il'ina et al ., ).…”

“…Biofilm development represents a universal strategy used by microbial cells to optimize the probability of survival and proliferation in nature. microbial cells (Van Schie & Fletcher, 1999;Stanley et al, 2003). Gene regulation as well as the presence of flagella or cilia may also affect the different steps involved during biofilm development (Conlon et al, 2002;Otto & Silhavy, 2002;Jefferson, 2004;Il'ina et al, 2004).…”

Comparison of the transport and deposition of Pseudomonas aeruginosa under aerobic and anaerobic conditions

“…Anaerobic LB broth and 0.9% NaCl solution were prepared by purging with ultrahigh purity N 2 (Praxair Inc., CA) for at least 30 min L −1 of liquid immediately after autoclaving. All liquids and plastic tubes used for anaerobic transport experiments were stored in the anaerobic chamber for at least 1 week prior to use [ van Schie and Fletcher , ]. To control the anaerobic condition, the anaerobic chamber was routinely flushed with a gas mixture containing 5% H 2 , 5% CO 2 , and 90% N 2 (Praxair Inc., CA).…”