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Nature Communications Jul 2022Employing renewable materials for fabricating clean energy harvesting devices can further improve sustainability. Microorganisms can be mass produced with renewable...
Employing renewable materials for fabricating clean energy harvesting devices can further improve sustainability. Microorganisms can be mass produced with renewable feedstocks. Here, we demonstrate that it is possible to engineer microbial biofilms as a cohesive, flexible material for long-term continuous electricity production from evaporating water. Single biofilm sheet (~40 µm thick) serving as the functional component in an electronic device continuously produces power density (~1 μW/cm) higher than that achieved with thicker engineered materials. The energy output is comparable to that achieved with similar sized biofilms catalyzing current production in microbial fuel cells, without the need for an organic feedstock or maintaining cell viability. The biofilm can be sandwiched between a pair of mesh electrodes for scalable device integration and current production. The devices maintain the energy production in ionic solutions and can be used as skin-patch devices to harvest electricity from sweat and moisture on skin to continuously power wearable devices. Biofilms made from different microbial species show generic current production from water evaporation. These results suggest that we can harness the ubiquity of biofilms in nature as additional sources of biomaterial for evaporation-based electricity generation in diverse aqueous environments.
Topics: Bioelectric Energy Sources; Biofilms; Electricity; Electrodes; Water; Wearable Electronic Devices
PubMed: 35902587
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32105-6 -
Water Research Mar 2019Microbial biofilms can be both cause and cure to a range of emerging societal problems including antimicrobial tolerance, water sanitation, water scarcity and pollution.... (Review)
Review
Microbial biofilms can be both cause and cure to a range of emerging societal problems including antimicrobial tolerance, water sanitation, water scarcity and pollution. The identities of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) responsible for the establishment and function of biofilms are poorly understood. The lack of information on the chemical and physical identities of EPS limits the potential to rationally engineer biofilm processes, and impedes progress within the water and wastewater sector towards a circular economy and resource recovery. Here, a multidisciplinary roadmap for addressing this EPS identity crisis is proposed. This involves improved EPS extraction and characterization methodologies, cross-referencing between model biofilms and full-scale biofilm systems, and functional description of isolated EPS with in situ techniques (e.g. microscopy) coupled with genomics, proteomics and glycomics. The current extraction and spectrophotometric characterization methods, often based on the principle not to compromise the integrity of the microbial cells, should be critically assessed, and more comprehensive methods for recovery and characterization of EPS need to be developed.
Topics: Biofilms; Extracellular Polymeric Substance Matrix; Identity Crisis; Wastewater
PubMed: 30557778
DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2018.11.020 -
International Journal of Environmental... Feb 2021Biofilms, present as microorganisms and surviving on surfaces, can increase food cross-contamination, leading to changes in the food industry's cleaning and disinfection... (Review)
Review
Biofilms, present as microorganisms and surviving on surfaces, can increase food cross-contamination, leading to changes in the food industry's cleaning and disinfection dynamics. Biofilm is an association of microorganisms that is irreversibly linked with a surface, contained in an extracellular polymeric substance matrix, which poses a formidable challenge for food industries. To avoid biofilms from forming, and to eliminate them from reversible attachment and irreversible stages, where attached microorganisms improve surface adhesion, a strong disinfectant is required to eliminate bacterial attachments. This review paper tackles biofilm problems from all perspectives, including biofilm-forming pathogens in the food industry, disinfectant resistance of biofilm, and identification methods. As biofilms are largely responsible for food spoilage and outbreaks, they are also considered responsible for damage to food processing equipment. Hence the need to gain good knowledge about all of the factors favouring their development or growth, such as the attachment surface, food matrix components, environmental conditions, the bacterial cells involved, and electrostatic charging of surfaces. Overall, this review study shows the real threat of biofilms in the food industry due to the resistance of disinfectants and the mechanisms developed for their survival, including the intercellular signalling system, the cyclic nucleotide second messenger, and biofilm-associated proteins.
Topics: Biofilms; Disinfectants; Extracellular Polymeric Substance Matrix; Food Handling; Food Industry; Food Microbiology; Food-Processing Industry
PubMed: 33669645
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18042014 -
Journal of Applied Microbiology Aug 2020Soil environments are dynamic and the plant rhizosphere harbours a phenomenal diversity of micro-organisms which exchange signals and beneficial nutrients. Bipartite... (Review)
Review
Soil environments are dynamic and the plant rhizosphere harbours a phenomenal diversity of micro-organisms which exchange signals and beneficial nutrients. Bipartite beneficial or symbiotic interactions with host roots, such as mycorrhizae and various bacteria, are relatively well characterized. In addition, a tripartite interaction also exists between plant roots, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and associated bacteria. Bacterial biofilms exist as a sheet of bacterial cells in association with AMF structures, embedded within a self-produced exopolysaccharide matrix. Such biofilms may play important functional roles within these tripartite interactions. However, the details about such interactions in the rhizosphere and their relevant functional relationships have not been elucidated. This review explores the current understanding of naturally occurring microbial biofilms, and their interaction with biotic surfaces, especially AMF. The possible roles played by bacterial biofilms and the potential for their application for a more productive and sustainable agriculture is discussed in this review.
Topics: Agriculture; Bacterial Physiological Phenomena; Biofilms; Mycorrhizae; Plant Roots; Rhizosphere; Soil Microbiology; Symbiosis
PubMed: 32034822
DOI: 10.1111/jam.14609 -
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry 2015The majority of chronic infections are associated with mono- or polymicrobial biofilms, having a significant impact on the patients' quality of life and survival rates.... (Review)
Review
The majority of chronic infections are associated with mono- or polymicrobial biofilms, having a significant impact on the patients' quality of life and survival rates. Although the use of medical devices revolutionized health care services and significantly improved patient outcomes, it also led to complications associated with biofilms and to the emergence of multidrug resistant bacteria. Immunocompromised patients, institutionalized or hospitalized individuals, elderly people are at greater risk due to life-threatening septic complications, but immunocompetent individuals with predisposing genetic or acquired diseases can also be affected, almost any body part being able to shelter persistent biofilms. Moreover, chronic biofilm-related infections can lead to the occurrence of systemic diseases, as in the case of chronic periodontitis, linked to atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. The more researchers discover, new unknown issues add up to the complexity of biofilm infections, in which microbial species establish relationships of cooperation and competition, and elaborate phenotypic differentiation into functional, adapted communities. Their interaction with the host's immune system or with therapeutic agents contributes to the complex puzzle that still misses a lot of pieces. In this comprehensive review we aimed to highlight the microbial composition, developmental stages, architecture and properties of medical biofilms, as well as the diagnostic tools used in the management of biofilm related infections. Also, we present recently acquired knowledge on the etiopathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of four chronic diseases associated with biofilm development in tissues (chronic periodontitis, chronic lung infection in cystic fibrosis, chronic wounds) and artificial substrata (medical devices-related infections).
Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Biofilms; Cystic Fibrosis; Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; Humans; Microbiota; Periodontitis; Prosthesis-Related Infections; Wounds and Injuries
PubMed: 25877092
DOI: 10.2174/1568026615666150414123800 -
International Journal of Molecular... Nov 2021Microbial biofilms occur naturally in many environmental niches and can be a significant reservoir of infectious microbes in zoonotically transmitted diseases such as... (Review)
Review
Microbial biofilms occur naturally in many environmental niches and can be a significant reservoir of infectious microbes in zoonotically transmitted diseases such as that caused by , the leading cause of acute human bacterial gastroenteritis world-wide. The greatest challenge in reducing the disease caused by this organism is reducing transmission of to humans from poultry via the food chain. Biofilms enhance the stress tolerance and antimicrobial resistance of the microorganisms they harbor and are considered to play a crucial role for spp. survival and transmission to humans. Unconventional approaches to control biofilms and to improve the efficacy of currently used antibiotics are urgently needed. This review summarizes the use plant- and microorganism-derived antimicrobial and antibiofilm compounds such as essential oils, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), polyphenolic extracts, algae extracts, probiotic-derived factors, d-amino acids (DAs) and glycolipid biosurfactants with potential to control biofilms formed by , and the suggested mechanisms of their action. Further investigation and use of such natural compounds could improve preventative and remedial strategies aimed to limit the transmission of campylobacters and other human pathogens via the food chain.
Topics: Animals; Antimicrobial Peptides; Biofilms; Campylobacter Infections; Campylobacter jejuni; Humans; Oils, Volatile; Poultry
PubMed: 34830039
DOI: 10.3390/ijms222212159 -
The Cleft Palate-craniofacial Journal :... Apr 2020Maxillofacial prosthetics includes restoration of maxillary defects resulting from resection of palate and nasosinus neoplasms with obturator prostheses which may be... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Maxillofacial prosthetics includes restoration of maxillary defects resulting from resection of palate and nasosinus neoplasms with obturator prostheses which may be colonized by microorganisms and function as a reservoir of infection. Patients with neoplasms commonly also require radiotherapy that can result in changes in saliva quality and quantity and changes in the oral microbial flora. The altered flora, in individuals immunocompromised from cancer therapy, increases their risk of prosthesis-related infections.
OBJECTIVES
In this review article, we explore microbial biofilms, their main components, mechanisms of microbial adhesion, and stages of biofilm development. We also discuss the different materials that are used for manufacturing maxillary obturators, their characteristic features, and how these can affect microbial adhesion. Furthermore, we shed some light on the factors that affect microbial adhesion to the surface of maxillary obturators including tissue proteins, protein adsorption, and the acquired enamel pellicle.
CONCLUSIONS
The conclusions drawn from this literature review are that it is imperative to minimize the risk of local and systemic infections in immunocompromised patients with cancer having maxillary defects. It is also important to determine the role of saliva in microbial adhesion to obturator materials as well as develop materials that have a longer life span with surface characteristics that promote less microbial adhesion than current materials.
Topics: Biofilms; Dental Implants; Humans; Maxilla; Maxillary Neoplasms; Palatal Obturators
PubMed: 31665902
DOI: 10.1177/1055665619882555 -
The Analyst Dec 2023The formation of photosynthetic microbial biofilms comprising multispecies biomolecules, such as extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs), and microbial cells play...
The formation of photosynthetic microbial biofilms comprising multispecies biomolecules, such as extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs), and microbial cells play pivotal roles in maintaining or stimulating their biological functions. Although there are numerous studies on photosynthetic microbial biofilms, the spatial distribution of EPS components that are vital for microbial biofilm formation, such as exopolysaccharides and proteins, is not well understood. Visualization of photosynthetic microbial biofilms requires label-free methods, because labelling EPSs results in structural changes or aggregation. Raman spectroscopy is useful for label-free visualization of biofilm constituents based on chemical contrast. However, interference resulting from the bright autofluorescence of photosynthetic molecules and the low detection efficiency of Raman scattering make visualization a challenge. Herein, we visualized photosynthetic microbial biofilms in a label-free manner using a super-resolution optical infrared absorption imaging technique, called mid-infrared photothermal (MIP) microscopy. By leveraging the advantages of MIP microscopy, such as its sub-micrometer spatial resolution, autofluorescence-free features, and high detection sensitivity, the distribution of cyanobacteria and their extracellular polysaccharides in the biofilm matrix were successfully visualized. This showed that cyanobacterial cells were aligned along acidic/sulfated polysaccharides in the extracellular environment. Furthermore, spectroscopic analyses elucidated that during formation of biofilms, sulfated polysaccharides initially form linear structures followed by entrapment of cyanobacterial cells. The present study provides the foundation for further studies on the formation, structure, and biological functions of microbial biofilms.
Topics: Biofilms; Polysaccharides; Cyanobacteria; Microscopy; Optical Imaging
PubMed: 37947037
DOI: 10.1039/d3an01453c -
Biomaterials Science Aug 2020Pathogenic microbial biofilms that readily form on implantable medical devices or human tissues have posed a great threat to worldwide healthcare. Hopes are focused on... (Review)
Review
Pathogenic microbial biofilms that readily form on implantable medical devices or human tissues have posed a great threat to worldwide healthcare. Hopes are focused on preventive strategies towards biofilms, leaving a thought-provoking question: how to tackle the problem of established biofilms? In this review, we briefly summarize the functionalized biomaterials to combat biofilms and highlight current approaches to eradicate pre-existing biofilms. We believe that all of these strategies, alone or in combination, could represent a blueprint for fighting biofilm-associated infections in the postantibiotic era.
Topics: Biocompatible Materials; Biofilms; Humans; Prostheses and Implants
PubMed: 32500875
DOI: 10.1039/d0bm00526f -
Frontiers in Bioscience (Landmark... Mar 2024Biofilms, which consist of microorganisms enclosed in an extracellular polymeric material (EPS), hold immense importance in the fields of environmental research,... (Review)
Review
Biofilms, which consist of microorganisms enclosed in an extracellular polymeric material (EPS), hold immense importance in the fields of environmental research, industry, and medicine. They play a significant role in ecosystem dynamics and stability, but they also pose issues such as biofouling, corrosion, and pollution. Biofilms in medical environments are linked to persistent infections and elevated healthcare expenses. The EPS matrix plays a crucial role in maintaining the structural integrity and antibiotic resistance of these structures. The research primarily investigates the role of the EPS matrix in facilitating horizontal gene transfer among biofilm communities, with a particular emphasis on EPS and its impact on this process. The process is recognized as a pivotal mechanism in the emergence of antibiotic resistance, underscoring the crucial function of EPS in the dynamics of biofilms. The analysis also highlights the significant financial constraints caused by biofilms in several industries. Biofilm-associated infections in the healthcare sector result in escalated treatment expenses and extended hospitalization periods. In an industrial context, biofilms have a role in increasing maintenance expenses and product contamination, emphasizing the need for efficient management solutions. This review presents the most recent progress in biofilm research, emphasizing the utilization of sophisticated imaging tools and molecular methodologies. In addition to conventional imaging techniques, the research explores the utilization of sophisticated molecular tools, such as DNA and RNA sequencing, in conjunction with proteomics. These approaches are essential for assessing the genetic and metabolic mechanisms that regulate biofilm development and antibiotic resistance. The review underscores the significance of employing an interdisciplinary methodology in the study of biofilms. By incorporating a range of approaches, such as sophisticated imaging and molecular analysis, a comprehensive understanding of biofilm dynamics may be achieved. This approach also opens up possibilities for developing novel solutions to address the negative impacts of biofilms on health, industry, and the environment.
Topics: Biofilms; Humans; Drug Resistance, Microbial; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Gene Transfer, Horizontal; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Extracellular Polymeric Substance Matrix; Bacteria
PubMed: 38682189
DOI: 10.31083/j.fbl2904133