1. Presented By- Deepak

2. Introduction
 A biofilm is a complex
aggregation of
microorganisms growing on
a solid surface, i.e. in a bed
of polymer material which
they themselves have made.
 Biofilms may be found on
essentially and
environmental surface in
which sufficient moisture is
present.

3. A Biofilm Primer
 Biofilm primer is composed of
populations or communities of
microorganisms adhering to the
environmental surfaces.
These microorganisms are
usually encased in an
extracellular polysaccharide that
they themselves synthesize and
thus forming communities.
Their development is most rapid
in flowing systems where
adequate nutrients are available.

4. Where biofilms are found?
 Typical locations for biofilms production include
1.Rocks
2.Surfaces in marine or fresh water environment.
 Biofilms associated with living organisms.
 These communities are composed of a range of different
types of organisms, both autotrophic and heterotrophic.
 Tissue surfaces such as teeth and intestinal mucosa
develop a complex aggregation of microorganisms and thus
forming biofilms.

5. • This figure is of Human
dental plague.It shows
ability of oral bacteria to
store iodophilic polysaccharides or glycogenlike molecules inside their
cells. This prolonged
exposure leads to
decalcification of tooth
enamel.
• Microbial Mats are
specialized microbial
communities composed
mainly of photosynthetic
prokaryotes. This microbial
mat in a roadside puddle
formed quickly during
summer.

6. Formation of biofilms
 Biofilms tend to form wherever a surface on which bacteria
can grow.
Biofilm forms when bacteria adhere to surface in aqueous
environment and begin to excrete slimy, glue like substance
that can anchor them to all kinds of material.
 Biofilm forms:a)On solid substrate in contact with moisture.
b)On soft tissue surface in living organisms.
c)At liquid air interface.

7. Process of biofilm formation

8. Structure of Biofilms
Biofilm structures take a wide
variety of forms depending on
their age and growing conditions.
This structural complexity allows
bacteria deep within the biofilm to
have access to nutrients carried
by the convective flow of water.
 The BAP protein (Biofilm
associated protein) which
presents a structural organization
similar to other surface proteins
in a number of species of
bacteria.

9. Antibiotic Resistance of biofilms
Bacteria in biofilms are extremely resistant to antibiotics.
During the development of a chronic infection the bacteria
form community structures known as biofilms that are like
cities of bacteria.
Living in groups gives the bacteria properties that they do
not have as individuals.
They are also impervious to the body's natural immune
defense system.
Biofilm infections are a major medical problem.

10. Anti-biofilm defense mechanism
of human body.
Lactoferrin is a component of the body's antibacterial
defense system.
Bacteria when grown in the presence of small amounts of
lactoferrin were unable to develop into biofilms.
 As a consequence, these bacteria remained vulnerable to
antibiotics and other antimicrobial substances.
Lactoferrin causes bacteria to roam across a surface.

11. Anti-biofilm defense mechanism of
humans continued…
Lactoferrin traps iron, making it unavailable to the bacteria.
Iron is a critical nutrient for bacteria and is difficult to acquire
from the environment.
 When they sense iron levels are low, the bacteria keep
moving rather than establishing complex communities in an
area where a critical nutrient is in short supply.

12. Genetic changes prevent antibiotic
resistance of biofilms
 Biofilms highly resistant to antibiotics.
A subset of genes in a bacterium behave
differently.
Mutations in biofilm genes cause changes in
biofilm growth and maintenance.
Proteins are important targets aimed at treating
biofilms.

13. Bioreactor
A water treatment reactor ie a
bioreactor was devised that
serves as a minibiological
purification plant for servicing
a single home or a
few households.
The efficient design of the
bioreactor reduces the size
and the expense of a water
treatment plant and also
makes it amenable for the
recirculated water used for
aquaculture.

14. Working of bioreactor
The bioreactor contains a series of plastic hollow particlelike carriers on which a biofilm grows rapidly. The biofilm
causes contaminants to decompose.
On its outer surfaces, the biofilm is abraded as the plastic
particles rub against each other due to the flow in the
reactor.
The abrasive action of the intense, heavy rubbing of the
carriers causes contaminants to decompose.
The bioreactor continuously removes dead microorganisms
from the exposed surfaces, and the microfilm carriers are
always appearing with a new active biofilm.

15. Biofouling
Biofouling or biological fouling is the undesirable
accumulation of microorganisms, plants, algae, and animals
on submerged structures, especially ships' hulls.
Biofouling also occurs
1.On the surfaces of living marine organisms.
2.In membrane systems such as membrane bioreactors.
3.As fouling in cooling water cycles of large industrial
equipments and power stations.
4.In groundwater wells
5.In the exterior and interior of ocean-laying pipes.
Fouling causes huge material and economic costs in
maintenance of mariculture, shipping industries, naval
vessels, and seawater pipelines.

16. Biofouling continued…
Biofouling is divided into
1)microfouling - biofilm formation and bacterial adhesion
2) macrofouling -attachment of larger organisms.
In order to minimize the impacts of foulers, many
underwater structures are protected by antifouling coatings.
Coatings, however, have been found to be toxic to marine
organisms.
Anti-fouling is the process of removing the accumulation, or
preventing its accumulation.
In the latter case it has been shown to retard the seawater
flow through the pipe and has to be removed with the tube
cleaning process.

17. Biofilms Impact
Whether it's the disgusting
yellow film coating your teeth
or the slippery crud clogging
your kitchen sink, slime is
something most of us want to
eliminate and not cultivate.
Biofilm impact can be seen
in the neighbouring figure:

18. Threats of Biofilms
 Biofilms can be a serious threat to health especially in
patients in whom artificial substrates have been introduced.
These recurrent infections are due to the accumulation of
mixed biofilms on the artificial surfaces provided by the
catheter or other implant.
 In vitro experiments suggest that bacteria encased in
biofilms may be 50 to 500 times more resistant to
chemotherapy than planktonic bacteria of the same strain.
 Fragments of biofim that slough off at intervals can spread
the infection to distant locations within the body.

19. Most common destruction caused
by biofilms.
Microbial Ecology of Biofilms in Beef Processing
Facilities
Oral Bacteria May Predict Pregnancy Outcomes
Periodontal disease ie- periodontitis caused by
oral bacteria.
Biofilms Inside Bladder Cells May Cause
Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections

20. Destructions by biofilms continued..
 Biofilms in Urinary and Foley Catheter.
 Bacterial Biofilms Biofilms, source of Recurrent
Tonsillitis.
 Chronic Middle Ear Infections Linked To
Resistant Biofilm Bacteria.
 Lungs of cystic fibrosis are infected with
Bacterial Biofilms.

21. Destruction by biofilms continued..
Mechanical Heart Valve Biofilms.
Cholera Bacteria Focuses on Biofilm Formation.
Microbial biofilms in food industry.
Biofilm formation in ship’s hulls.

22. Benefits of Biofilms
Humans have made considerable use of microbial
biofilms, primarily in the area of habitat remediation.
1.Water treatment plants
2.Septic systems associated with private homes remove
pathogens and reduce the amount of organic matter in the
water
3.Biofilms Removes Drinking Water Contaminants ie waste
water treatment plants.
4.Snottites, Other Biofilms Hasten Cave Formation

23. Preventive Measures
Viruses are Build to Combat Harmful Biofilms with the
help of metagenomic technique.
Effectiveness of ozone, heat and chlorine for destroying
common food spoilage bacteria in synthetic media and
biofilms.
Preventing Biofilms Could Help Fight TB
Raisins Fight Oral Bacteria.

24. Preventive measures continued..
Herbal Treatment for Recurring Urinary Tract Infections
by biofilms.
UV Light, Coatings Reduce Bacterial Adhesion up to 50
Percent.
Monochloramine Treatment Not as Effective in Protecting
Drinking Water.

25. References
Biofilm-Science and Technology by Luis.F.Melo
Industrial Biofouling detection, Prevention and control by Janes
Walker Susanne Surman Jana Jass.
Trinet, F; Heim, R; Amar, D; Chang, HT; Rittmann, BE
Water Science & Technology. Vol. 23, no. 7-9, pp. 1347-1354.
1991.
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biofilm
International journal of food Microbiology Volume 42, Issue1
Textbook of biotechnology “Control of pollution”(biological
method of biofilteration)Das.H.K.2004 pg no 11155-1159 2nd
edition
Industrial biotechnology –Problems and Remedies by Indu
Shekhar Thakur pg no 44-68.
http://www.google.co.in/
Biotechnology A to Z, edition3 by William Bains.
 Sailing World article.

27. Questionare