Estimation of a biofilm-specific reaction rate: kinetics of bacterial urea hydrolysis in a biofilm.

ABSTRACT:

Background/objectives

Biofilms and specifically urea-hydrolysing biofilms are of interest to the medical community (for example, urinary tract infections), scientists and engineers (for example, microbially induced carbonate precipitation). To appropriately model these systems, biofilm-specific reaction rates are required. A simple method for determining biofilm-specific reaction rates is described and applied to a urea-hydrolysing biofilm.

Methods

Biofilms were grown in small silicon tubes and influent and effluent urea concentrations were determined. Immediately after sampling, the tubes were thin sectioned to estimate the biofilm thickness profile along the length of the tube. Urea concentration and biofilm thickness data were used to construct an inverse model for the es

SUBMITTER: Connolly JM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5515221 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature