Biofilm dynamics : linking in situ biofilm biomass and metabolic activity measurements in real-time under continuous flow conditions

Files
klopper_biofilm_2020.pdf(1.29 MB)
Date
2020
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Nature Research
Abstract
The tools used to study biofilms generally involve either destructive, end-point analyses or periodic measurements. The advent of the internet of things (IoT) era allows circumvention of these limitations. Here we introduce and detail the development of the BioSpec; a modular, nondestructive, real-time monitoring system, which accurately and reliably track changes in biofilm biomass over time. The performance of the system was validated using a commercial spectrophotometer and produced comparable results for variations in planktonic and sessile biomass. BioSpec was combined with the previously developed carbon dioxide evolution measurement system (CEMS) to allow simultaneous measurement of biofilm biomass and metabolic activity and revealed a differential response of these interrelated parameters to changing environmental conditions. The application of this system can facilitate a greater understanding of biofilm mass–function relationships and aid in the development of biofilm control strategies.
Description
CITATION: Klopper, K. B., et al. Biofilm dynamics : linking in situ biofilm biomass and metabolic activity measurements in real-time under continuous flow conditions. npj Biofilms and Microbiomes, 6:42, doi:10.1038/s41522-020-00153-9.
The original publication is available at https://www.nature.com
Publication of this article was funded by the Stellenbosch University Open Access Fund
Keywords
Biofilms, Water -- Microbiology, Biofilms -- Microbiology, Microbial aggregation, Aggregation, Microbial, Microbial ecology, Microorganisms -- Aggregation, Environmental microbiology, Carbon dioxide -- Measurement, Carbon Dioxide Evolution Measurement Systems (CEMS), Spectrophotometer
Citation
Klopper, K. B., et al. Biofilm dynamics : linking in situ biofilm biomass and metabolic activity measurements in real-time under continuous flow conditions. npj Biofilms and Microbiomes, 6:42, doi:10.1038/s41522-020-00153-9
URI
http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/108923
Collections
Research Articles (Microbiology)