RESUMEN
Initial work to generate physically robust biofilms for biocatalytic applications revealed that Escherichia coli K-12 can form a floating biofilm at the air-liquid interface, commonly referred to as a pellicle. Unlike other species where pellicle formation is well-characterised, such as Bacillus subtilis, there are few reports of E. coli K-12 pellicles in the literature. In order to study pellicle formation, a growth model was developed and pellicle formation was monitored over time. Mechanical forces, both motility and shaking, were shown to have effects on pellicle formation and development. The role and regulation of curli, an amyloid protein adhesin critical in E. coli K-12 biofilm formation, was studied by using promoter-green fluorescent protein reporters; flow cytometry and confocal laser scanning microscopy were used to monitor curli expression over time and in different locations. Curli were found to be not only crucial for pellicle formation, but also heterogeneously expressed within the pellicle. The components of the extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) in pellicles were analysed by confocal microscopy using lectins, revealing distinct pellicle morphology on the air-facing and medium-facing sides, and spatially- and temporally-regulated generation of the EPS components poly-N-acetyl glucosamine and colanic acid. We discuss the difference between pellicles formed by E. coli K-12, pathogenic E. coli strains and other species, and the relationship between E. coli K-12 pellicles and solid surface-attached biofilms.
Asunto(s)
Adhesinas Bacterianas/metabolismo , Escherichia coli K12/metabolismo , Adhesinas Bacterianas/genética , Biopelículas , Escherichia coli K12/genética , Polisacáridos/metabolismoRESUMEN
Biofilm formation is a harmful phenomenon in many areas, such as in industry and clinically, but offers advantages in the field of biocatalysis for the generation of robust biocatalytic platforms. In this work, we optimised growth conditions for the production of Escherichia coli biofilms by three strains (PHL644, a K-12 derivative with enhanced expression of the adhesin curli; the commercially-used strain BL21; and the probiotic Nissle 1917) on a variety of surfaces (plastics, stainless steel and PTFE). E. coli PHL644 and PTFE were chosen as optimal strain and substratum, respectively, and conditions (including medium, temperature, and glucose concentration) for biofilm growth were determined. Finally, the impact of these growth conditions on expression of the curli genes was determined using flow cytometry for planktonic and sedimented cells. We reveal new insights into the formation of biofilms and expression of curli in E. coli K-12 in response to environmental conditions.
Asunto(s)
Adhesinas Bacterianas/biosíntesis , Proteínas Bacterianas/biosíntesis , Biopelículas/crecimiento & desarrollo , Exposición a Riesgos Ambientales , Escherichia coli/metabolismo , Adhesinas Bacterianas/genética , Adhesión Bacteriana/fisiología , Proteínas Bacterianas/genética , Proteínas de Escherichia coli/genética , Plásticos/química , Politetrafluoroetileno/química , Acero Inoxidable/química , Propiedades de SuperficieRESUMEN
To increase conversion and product concentration, mixed-acid fermentation can use a countercurrent strategy where solids and liquids pass in opposite directions through a series of fermentors. To limit the requirement for moving solids, this study employed a propagated fixed-bed fermentation, where solids were stationary and only liquid was transferred. To evaluate the role of agitation, continuous mixing was compared with periodic mixing. The periodically mixed fermentation had similar conversion, but lower yield and selectivity. Increasing volatile solid loading rate from 1.5 to 5.1g non-acid volatile solids/(L(liq)·d) and increasing liquid retention time decreased yield, conversion, selectivity, but increased product concentrations. Compared to a previous study at high pH (~9), this study achieved higher performance at near neutral pH (~6.5) and optimal C-N ratios. Compared to countercurrent fermentation, propagated fixed-bed fermentations have similar selectivities and produce similar proportions of acetic acid, but have lower yields, conversion, productivities, and acid concentrations.