METABOLIC SPATIAL VARIABILITY IN ELECTRODE-RESPIRING GEOBACTER SULFURREDUCENS BIOFILMS.

ABSTRACT: In this study, we quantified electron transfer rates, depth profiles of electron donor, and biofilm structure of Geobacter sulfurreducens biofilms using an electrochemical-nuclear magnetic resonance microimaging biofilm reactor. Our goal was to determine whether electron donor limitations existed in electron transfer processes of electrode-respiring G. sulfurreducens biofilms. Cells near the top of the biofilms consumed acetate and were metabolically active; however, acetate concentration decreased to below detection within the top 100 microns of the biofilms. Additionally, porosity in the biofilms fell below 10% near the electrode surface, exacerbating exclusion of acetate from the lower regions. The dense biofilm matrix in the acetate-depleted zone acted as an electrical co

SUBMITTER: Renslow R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3733395 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature