• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.355-363
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• 2015

The present work quantified the growth of young biofilm in a model distribution system that was fed with chlorinated drinking water at a hydraulic retention time of 2 h. Bacterial biofilms grew on the surface of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) slides at a specific growth rate of $0.14{\pm}0.09day^{-1}$ for total bacteria and $0.16{\pm}0.08day^{-1}$ for heterotrophic bacteria, reaching $3.1{\times}10^4cells/cm^2$ and $6.6{\times}10^3CFU/cm^2$ after 10 days, respectively. The specific growth rates of biofilm-forming bacteria were found to be much higher than those of bulk-phase bacteria, suggesting that biofilm bacteria account for a major part of the bacterial production in this model system. Biofilm isolates exhibited characteristic kinetic properties, as determined by ${\mu}_{max}$ and $K_S$ values using the Monod model, in a defined growth medium containing various amounts of acetate. The lowest ${\mu}_{max}$ value was observed in bacterial species belonging to the genus Methylobacterium, and their slow growth seemed to confer high resistance to chlorine treatment (0.5 mg/L for 10 min). $K_S$ values (inversely related to substrate affinity) of Sphingomonas were two orders of magnitude lower for acetate carbon than those of other isolates. The Sphingomonas isolates may have obligate-oligotrophic characteristics, since the lower $K_S$ values allow them to thrive under nutrient-deficient conditions. These results provide a better understanding and control of multi-species bacterial biofilms that develop within days in a drinking water distribution system.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.58 no.1
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• pp.14-22
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• 2020

Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of MnO₂-diatom microbubbler (DM) on the surface of prosthetic materials as a mouthwash by comparing the biofilm removal effect with those previously used as a mouthwash in dental clinic. Materials and methods: DM was fabricated by doping manganese dioxide nanosheets to the diatom cylinder surface. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to observe the morphology of DM and to analyze the composition of doped MnO₂. Stereomicroscope was used to observe the reaction of DM in 3% hydrogen peroxide. Non-precious metal alloys, zirconia and resin specimens were prepared to evaluate the effect of biofilm removal on the surface of prosthetic materials. And then Streptococcus mutans and Porphyromonas gingivalis biofilms were formed on the specimens. When 3% hydrogen peroxide solution and DM were treated on the biofilms, the decontamination effect was compared with chlorhexidine gluconate and 3% hydrogen peroxide solution by crystal violet staining. Results: Manganese dioxide was found on the surface of the diatom cylinder, and it was found to produce bubble of oxygen gas when added to 3% hydrogen peroxide. For all materials used in the experiments, biofilms of the DM-treated groups got effectively removed compared to the groups used with chlorhexidine gluconate or 3% hydrogen peroxide alone. Conclusion: MnO₂-diatom microbubbler can remove bacterial membranes on the surface of prosthetic materials more effectively than conventional mouthwashes.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.446-453
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of Indocyanine Green (ICG) and near-infrared (NIR) diode laser on Streptococcus mutans biofilms depending on ICG concentrations. S. mutans biofilms were formed on a Hydroxyapatite disk, and 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0 mg/mL ICG solutions dissolved in sterile distilled water and a NIR diode laser having a power of 300 mW and a wavelength of 808 nm were applied to the biofilms. The temperature changes of the biofilm surface according to the concentrations of the ICG solution were measured using a 1-channel thermocouple thermometer. Compared to the control group, in the groups with only the 3.0, 4.0, 5.0 mg/mL ICG solution application, and in the groups with the 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0 mg/mL ICG solution application and light irradiation, a statistically significant decrease in the bacterial counts were observed. The temperature increase according to the concentration of the ICG solutions was 9.53℃, 10.43℃, 11.40℃, 12.10℃, 12.67℃, and 13.63℃ in ICG solutions of 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, and 5.0 mg/mL respectively. This study presents the potential for clinical application of ICG and NIR diode lasers as a new method for preventing dental caries.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.55-63
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• 2024

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the antimicrobial efficacy of an 810-nm infrared diode laser with indocyanine green (ICG) against Staphylococcus aureus on sandblasted, large grit, and acid-etched (SLA) titanium surfaces, comparing its effectiveness with alternative chemical decontamination modalities. Materials and Methods: Biofilms of S. aureus ATCC 25923 were cultured on SLA titanium disks for 48 hours. The biofilms were divided into five treatment groups: control, chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX), tetracycline (TC), ICG, and 810-nm infrared diode laser with ICG (ICG-PDT). After treatment, colony-forming units were quantified to assess surviving bacteria, and viability was confirmed through confocal laser-scanning microscope (CLSM) imaging. Results: All treated groups exhibited a statistically significant reduction in S. aureus (P < 0.05), with notable efficacy in the CHX, TC, and ICG-PDT groups (P < 0.01). While no statistical difference was observed between TC and CHX, the ICG-PDT group demonstrated superior bacterial reduction. CLSM images revealed a higher proportion of dead bacteria stained in red within the ICG-PDT groups. Conclusion: Within the limitations, ICG-PDT effectively reduced S. aureus biofilms on SLA titanium surfaces. Further investigations into alternative decontamination methods and the clinical impact of ICG-PDT on peri-implant diseases are warranted.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.16-23
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• 2016

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether fluorides at various pH cause changes in the surface roughness of titanium implants that alter the adherence of bacterial biofilms. Materials and Methods: The titanium disks were assigned randomly to the following seven groups according to the fluoride agents and application time (1 minute or 30 minute) used: control (no treatment); group 1 (1.23% acidulated phosphate fluoride [APF] at pH 3.5 for 1 minute); group 2 (1.23% APF at pH 3.5 for 30 minute); group 3 (1.23% APF at pH 4.0 for 1 minute); group 4 (1.23% APF at pH 4.0 for 30 minute); group 5 (2% NaF gel at pH 7.0 for 1 minute); group 6 (2% NaF gel at pH 7.0 for 30 minute). The surface roughness of the titanium disks and the amount of adherent bacteria were measured. Results: Group 2 showed a significantly greater surface roughness than the control group (P < 0.0001). No significant differences in the amount of surface bacteria were observed between the treated samples and the controls. In addition, there were no significant differences in bacterial adherence relative to the incubation period between the treated samples and the controls. Conclusion: The surface roughness of the titanium disks was significantly greater after treatment with APF at pH 3.5 for 30 min compared with that of the controls. In addition, we found that the amount of Porphyromonas gingivalis, Fusobacterium nucleatum, and Aggregatibactor actinomycetemcomitans was similar among all groups

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.347-350
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• 2011

Biofilms are surface-attached microbial communities with phenotypic and biochemical properties distinct from free-living planktonic cells. Biofilm bacteria show much greater resistance than planktonic counterparts and much higher concentration of biocide is needed to treat biofilms compared to the dosage used for planktonic bacteria. As a result, alternative strategies or more effective agents exhibiting activity against biofilm-producing micro-organisms are of great interest. Therefore, we turned our attention to control of biofilm of S. aureus. The aims of this research are to investigate substances which inhibit the formation of biofilm by S. aureus and to suggest effective materials for controlling skin problems. We coated slide glasses with human placental collagen and the coverslip was incubated with test materials and bacteria. The coverslip was stained with crystal violet and we measured optical density of each sample. The biofilm inhibitory activity was calculated by crystal violet staining degrees. In this study, S. aureus ATCC 6538 was used as test organism. Our results show that both water soluble and insoluble Hinoki cypress polysaccharide strongly inhibited biofilm formation. Whereas, green tea and sunset hibiscus root extract promoted biofilm. Xylitol showed a concentration dependent effect; high concentration (3 % and 5 %) of xylitol reduced biofilm while promoted biofilm formation at a concentration of 1 %. These results support that Hinoki cypress polysaccharide and xylitol have ability to suppress biofilm formation.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.83-91
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• 2012

Quorum sensing (QS) is a cell-to-cell communication system, which is used by many bacteria to regulate diverse gene expression in response to changes in population density. Bacteria recognize the differences in cell density by sensing the concentration of signal molecules such as N-acyl-homoserine lactones (AHL) and autoinducer-2 (AI-2). In particular, QS plays a key role in biofilm formation, which is a specific bacterial group behavior. Biofilms are dense aggregates of packed microbial communities that grow on surfaces, and are embedded in a self-produced matrix of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). QS regulates biofilm dispersal as well as the production of EPS. In some bacteria, biofilm formations are regulated by c-di-GMP-mediated signaling as well as QS, thus the two signaling systems are mutually connected. Biofilms are one of the major virulence factors in pathogenic bacteria. In addition, they cause numerous problems in industrial fields, such as the biofouling of pipes, tanks and membrane bioreactors (MBR). Therefore, the interference of QS, referred to as quorum quenching (QQ) has received a great deal of attention. To inhibit biofilm formation, several strategies to disrupt bacterial QS have been reported, and many enzymes which can degrade or modify the signal molecule AHL have been studied. QQ enzymes, such as AHL-lactonase, AHL-acylase, and oxidoreductases may offer great potential for the effective control of biofilm formation and membrane biofouling in the future. This review describes the process of bacterial QS, biofilm formation, and the close relationship between them. Finally, QQ enzymes and their applications for the reduction of biofouling are also discussed.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.133-139
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• 2009

A nutrient-concentrating system was operated to retrieve total phosphorus efficiently from a non-point pollution source. Attached bacteria were expected to play an important role in the system. Phosphorous was concentrated by formation of bacterial biofilms on rubberized coconut fiber media of the system. While concentration of total phosphorus (TP) ranged merely 0.12~0.35 mg/L in the stream water, TP levels in pore water and the media were 0.45~0.86 mg/L and 40.91~242.71 mg/kg, respectively. Total bacterial number (TBN) ranged $0.3\sim2.3\times10^6$ cells/ml in stream water, $0.4\sim4.4\times10^6$ cells/ml in pore water and $0.8\sim1.9\times10^9$ cells/g in media. There was a close correlation between TP and TBN. Based on band profiles in DGGE analyses, bacterial communities in the media were different from that in the stream water. Clostridium spp. were abundant in the stream water while Aquabacterium spp. were dominant species in early stages of biofilm formation in the media. The genera predominant in matured biofilms of the media were Clostridium and Enterococcus.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.100-109
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• 2018

The emergence and dissemination of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter baumannii isolates have been reported worldwide, with most of these possessing the ability to form biofilms. Biofilm formation is an important virulence factor associated with the resistance to disinfection and desiccation. This study examined the genetic basis of antimicrobial resistance mechanisms of biofilm-forming A. baumannii clinical isolates. Imaging and quantification of biofilms were performed by a crystal violet assay and 46 biofilm-forming A. baumannii isolates were selected. Subsequently, 16 isolates belonging to different clones were identified using REP-PCR, and detection of the antimicrobial determinants in the isolates was carried out. The 16 isolates included 9 non-MDR and 7 MDR isolates. The mean biomass $OD_{560}$ values of the non-MDR (0.96) and MDR (1.05) isolates differed but this difference was not significant. In this study, most biofilm-forming MDR A. baumannii isolates contained various antimicrobial resistance determinants ($bla_{OXA-23}$, armA, and mutations of gyrA and parC). On the other hand, most biofilm-forming non-MDR A. baumannii isolates did not contain antimicrobial resistance determinants. These results suggest that there is little correlation between the biofilm-forming ability and antimicrobial susceptibility in A. baumannii isolates. In addition, the emergence of MDR A. baumannii clinical isolates is generally caused by mutations of the genes associated with antimicrobial resistance and/or the acquisition of various antimicrobial resistance determinants.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.69-75
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• 2018

The purpose of our study is to compare the adhesion and biofilm formation abilities of isolates from water discharged from dental unit waterlines (DUWLs). Bacteria were isolated from a total of 15 DUWLs. Twelve isolates were selected for the experiment. To confirm the adhesion ability of the isolates, each isolate was attached to a glass coverslip using a 12-well plate. Plates were incubated at $26^{\circ}C$ for 7 days, and the degree of adhesion of each isolate was scored. To verify the biofilm formation ability of each isolate, biofilms were allowed to form on a 96-well polystyrene flat-bottom microtiter plate. The biofilm accumulations of all isolates formed at $26^{\circ}C$ for 7 days were identified and compared. A total of 56 strains were isolated from 15 water samples including 12 genera and 31 species. Of the 56 isolates, 12 isolates were selected according to the genus and used in the experiment. Sphingomonas echinoides, Methylobacterium aquaticum, and Cupriavidus pauculus had the highest adhesion ability scores of +3 among 12 isolates. Among these three isolates, the biofilm accumulation of C. pauculus was the highest and that of S. echinoides was the third-most abundant. The lowest biofilm accumulations were identified in Microbacterium testaceum and M. aquaticum. Most isolates with high adhesion ability also exhibited high biofilm formation ability. Analysis of adhesion and biofilm formation of the isolates from DUWLs can provide useful information to understand the mechanism of DUWL biofilm formation and development.