• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.195-204
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• 2013

While structured packing modules are known to be efficient for surface wetting and gas-liquid exchange in abiotic surface catalysis, this model study explores structured packing as a growth surface for catalytic biofilms. Microbial biofilms have been proposed as selfimmobilized and self-regenerating catalysts for the production of chemicals. A concern is that the complex and dynamic nature of biofilms may cause fluctuations in their catalytic performance over time or may affect process reproducibility. An aerated continuous trickle-bed biofilm reactor system was designed with a 3 L structured packing, liquid recycling and pH control. Pseudomonas diminuta established a biofilm on the stainless steel structured packing with a specific surface area of 500 $m^2m^{-3}$ and catalyzed the oxidation of ethylene glycol to glycolic acid for over two months of continuous operation. A steady-state productivity of up to 1.6 $gl^{-1}h^{-1}$ was achieved at a dilution rate of 0.33 $h^{-1}$. Process reproducibility between three independent runs was excellent, despite process interruptions and activity variations in cultures grown from biofilm effluent cells. The results demonstrate the robustness of a catalytic biofilm on structured packing, despite its dynamic nature. Implementation is recommended for whole-cell processes that require efficient gas-liquid exchange, catalyst retention for continuous operation, or improved catalyst stability.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.73-80
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• 2007

Biofilm media was equipped in two-compartmented wastewater treatment bioreactor which was separated by porcelain septum. DC 2.0 volt of electric potential was charged to anodic (oxidative) biofilm media (ABM) to induce oxidation potential but not to that of carbon (neutral) biofilm media (CBM) that was used for control test. Biofilm structure, biomass variation, Off variation and wastewater treatment efficiency in the bioreactor equipped with ABM (ABM-bioreactor) and CBM (CBM-bioreactor). Time-coursed variation of biofilm structure forming on surface of ABM and CBM was observed by scanning electron microscopy. The biofilm growing on ABM was dispersed on surface and was not completely covered the media but the biofilm growing on CBM was continuously increased and finally covered the media. The ORP of CBM was decreased to 100 mV, which was reciprocally proportional to the biomass growth. However, the ORP of ABM was about 800 mV, which was maintained during operation for about 60 days. The treatment efficiency of COD in the ABM bioreactor was 2 times higher than those in the CBM bioreactor. From these results, we proposed that electrochemical oxidation potential charged to biofilm media may inhibit formation of biofilm extremely condensed and activate bacterial cell metabolism.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.79-84
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• 2014

Purpose: While single-species biofilms have been studied extensively, we know notably little regarding multispecies biofilms and their interactions. The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate an in vitro multispecies dental biofilm model that aimed to mimic the environment of chronic periodontitis. Methods: Streptococcus gordonii KN1, Fusobacterium nucleatum ATCC23726, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans ATCC33384, and Porphyromonas gingivalis ATCC33277 were used for this experiment. The biofilms were grown on 12-well plates with a round glass slip (12 mm in diameter) with a supply of fresh medium. Four different single-species biofilms and multispecies biofilms with the four bacterial strains listed above were prepared. The biofilms were examined with a confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) for four different planktonic single-species and multispecies bacteria were determined. The MICs of doxycycline and chlorhexidine for four different single-species biofilms and a multispecies biofilm were also determined. Results: The CLSM and SEM examination revealed that the growth pattern of the multispecies biofilm was similar to those of single-species biofilms. However, the multispecies biofilm became thicker than the single-species biofilms, and networks between bacteria were formed. The MICs of doxycycline and chlorhexidine were higher in the biofilm state than in the planktonic bacteria. The MIC of doxycycline for the multispecies biofilm was higher than were those for the single-species biofilms of P. gingivalis, F. nucleatum, or A. actinomycetemcomitans. The MIC of chlorhexidine for the multispecies biofilm was higher than were those for the single-species biofilms of P. gingivalis or F. nucleatum. Conclusions: To mimic the natural dental biofilm, a multispecies biofilm composed of four bacterial species was grown. The 24-hour multispecies biofilm may be useful as a laboratory dental biofilm model system.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.702-708
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• 2009

We investigated biofilm formation in various media, growth in low pH, and the hemolytic activity of 14 strains of Cronobacter spp. (Enterobacter sakazakii) isolated from a variety of foods including powdered infant formula (n=75), infant cereal (n=100), honey (n=30), and other infant foods (n=100) in Korea. The Cronobacter spp. adhered and formed biofilms on polyethylene, and a greater extent of biofilm was observed in nutrient-rich media. No clear difference in biofilm-forming ability was noted among the media constituents and the pattern of biofilm formation was strain-dependent. Seven strains out of 14 strains (50%) grew at pH 4.1, indicating that the acid resistance of these Cronobacter spp. isolated in Korea was relatively low. Hemolytic activity was not observed in any of the strains. This study provides basic information for the physiological and biochemical characteristics of Cronobacter spp. isolated from a variety of infant foods in Korea.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.553-560
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• 2002

The research was performed to compare to the biofilm characteristics and phenol removal efficiency in RBCs(Rotating Biological Contactor) using Rhodococcus sp. EL-GT(single population) and activated sludge(mixed population) as inoculum. Both reactors showed similar tendency on variations of dry weight, thickness and dry density of biofilm. However, the growth of biofilm thickness in 3 and 4 stage of single population reactor has sustained longer than that of the mixed population reactor. Unlike the mixed population reactor, the dry density of biofilm in the single population reactor had a difference between 1, 2 stage and 3, 4 stage. The single population reactor was stably operated without the decrease of phenol removal efficiency in the range of pH 6 ~ 9 and 15mM phenol was completely degraded in these pH ranges. But in case of the mixed population reactor, the phenol degradability was dramatically decreased at over 5mM phenol concentration because of the overgrowth and detachment of its biofilm.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.24 no.9
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• pp.1216-1225
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• 2014

Biofilm-related infections of Candida albicans are a frequent cause of morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients, especially those with immunocompromised status. Options of the antifungal drugs available for successful treatment of drug-resistant biofilms are very few, and as such, new strategies need to be explored against them. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of phenylpropanoids of plant origin against planktonic cells, important virulence factors, and biofilm forms of C. albicans. Standard susceptibility testing protocol was used to evaluate the activities of 13 phenylpropanoids against planktonic growth. Their effects on adhesion and yeast-to-hyphae morphogenesis were studied in microplate-based methodologies. An in vitro biofilm model analyzed the phenylpropanoid-mediated prevention of biofilm development and mature biofilms using XTT-metabolic assay, crystal violet assay, and light microscopy. Six molecules exhibited fungistatic activity at ${\leq}0.5mg/ml$, of which four were fungicidal at low concentrations. Seven phenylpropanoids inhibited yeast-to-hyphae transition at low concentrations (0.031-0.5 mg/ml), whereas adhesion to the solid substrate was prevented in the range of 0.5-2 mg/ml. Treatment with ${\leq}0.5mg/ml$ concentrations of at least six small molecules resulted in significant (p < 0.05) inhibition of biofilm formation by C. albicans. Mature biofilms that are highly resistant to antifungal drugs were susceptible to low concentrations of 4 of the 13 molecules. This study revealed phenylpropanoids of plant origin as promising candidates to devise preventive strategies against drug-resistant biofilms of C. albicans.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.285-291
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• 1992

The purpose of this research, through kinetic analyses and pilot plant experimentation of biofilm filtration reactor, is to study the theoretical equation of head loss in the Biofilm Reactor. The Head loss in the biofilm reactor has occurred due to the biofilm growth and the adhesion to the media surface and stagnation of upflow air bubble, which have caused the pore spaces to become smaller. On a basis of the head loss theory of sand filtration, therefore, the following equation of head loss for the biofilm reactor was proposed from this research results and proved to be possible to apply the equation for practical design of the biofilm filter. $h={\frac{h_o}{L}}{\int}^L_00.58\exp[-4.5){\sigma}_B)][{\frac{1-{\varepsilon}_o+({\sigma}_B)}{1-{\varepsilon}_o}}]^2{[\frac{{\varepsilon}_o}{{\varepsilon}_o-({{\varepsilon}_B)}}]^3dz$ here ${\sigma}_B=0.130+0.001{\theta}$.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.808-816
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• 2018

Bacterial biofilms have been demonstrated to be closely related to clinical infections and contribute to drug resistance. Berberine, which is the main component of Coptis chinensis, has been reported to have efficient antibacterial activity. This study aimed to investigate the potential effect of a combination of berberine with ciprofloxacin (CIP) to inhibit Salmonella biofilm formation and its effect on expressions of related genes (rpoE, luxS, and ompR). The fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) index of the combination of berberine with CIP is 0.75 showing a synergistic antibacterial effect. The biofilm's adhesion rate and growth curve showed that the multi-resistant Salmonella strain had the potential to form a biofilm relative to that of strain CVCC528, and the antibiofilm effects were in a dose-dependent manner. Biofilm microstructures were rarely observed at $1/2{\times}MIC/FIC$ concentrations (MIC, minimal inhibition concentration), and the combination had a stronger antibiofilm effect than each of the antimicrobial agents used alone at $1/4{\times}FIC$ concentration. LuxS, rpoE, and ompR mRNA expressions were significantly repressed (p< 0.01) at $1/2{\times}MIC/FIC$ concentrations, and the berberine and CIP combination repressed mRNA expressions more strongly at the $1/4{\times}FIC$ concentration. The results indicate that the combination of berberine and CIP has a synergistic effect and is effective in inhibiting Salmonella biofilm formation via repression of luxS, rpoE, and ompR mRNA expressions.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.84-97
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• 2022

We evaluated the anti-biofilm formation and anti-inflammatory activity of Hovenia monofloral honey (HMH) against Enterococcus faecalis. Co-culture of HMH with E. faecalis attenuated the biofilm formation of E. faecalis on a polystyrene surface. In addition, HMH effectively eradicated the established E. faecalis biofilm. HMH significantly attenuated E. faecalis growth but did not affect the production of extracellular polymeric substances on E. faecalis, indicating that reduction of E. faecalis biofilm is a result of HMH-mediated killing of E. faecalis. Furthermore, we found that HMH can effectively attenuate E. faecalis-induced expression of a proinflammatory interleukin-8 (IL- 8) in HT-29 cells. Interestingly, treatment of HMH significantly attenuated the E. faecalis-mediated expression of Toll-like receptor-2 (TLR-2) and its adaptor molecules, myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (MyD88), in HT-29 cells. In addition, E. faecalis-induced mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) phosphorylation was significantly attenuated by HMH administration. Furthermore, HMH-mediated antiinflammatory efficacy (0.2 mg/mL of HMHs) had an equal extent of inhibitory efficacy as 5 μM of MyD88 inhibitor to attenuate E. faecalis-mediated IL-8 expression in HT-29 cells. These results suggest that HMH could effectively inhibit E. faecalis-mediated gastrointestinal inflammation through regulating the TLR-2/MyD88/MAPKs signaling pathways. Collectively, our data suggest that HMH could be developed as a potential natural agent to control E. faecalis-mediated biofilm formation and inflammation.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.712-723
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• 2019

Chemically synthesized compounds are widely used in oral hygiene products. However, excessively long-term use of these chemicals can cause undesirable side effects such as bacterial tolerance, allergy, and tooth discoloration. To solve these issues, significant effort is put into the search for natural antibacterial agents. The aim of this study was to assess the extracts of foreign native plants that inhibit the growth and biofilm formation of Streptococcus mutans. Among the 300 foreign plant extracts used in this study, Chesneya nubigena (D. Don) Ali extract had the highest antimicrobial activity relatively against S. mutans with a clear zone of 9 mm when compared to others. This plant extract also showed anti-biofilm activity and bacteriostatic effect (minimal bactericidal concentration [MBC], 1.5 mg/ml). In addition, the plant extracts of 19 species decreased the ability of S. mutans to form biofilm at least a 6-fold in proportion to the tested concentrations. Of particular note, C. nubigena (D. Don) Ali extract was found to inhibit biofilm formation at the lowest concentration tested effectively. Therefore, our results reveal that C. nubigena (D. Don) Ali extract is a potential candidate for the development of antimicrobial substitutes, which might be effective for caries control as well, as demonstrated by its inhibitory effect on the persistence and pathogenesis of S. mutans.