The Relative Importance of Shear Forces and Surface Hydrophobicity on Biofilm Formation by Coccoid Cyanobacteria.

ABSTRACT: Understanding the conditions affecting cyanobacterial biofilm development is crucial to develop new antibiofouling strategies and decrease the economic and environmental impact of biofilms in marine settings. In this study, we investigated the relative importance of shear forces and surface hydrophobicity on biofilm development by two coccoid cyanobacteria with different biofilm formation capacities. The strong biofilm-forming Synechocystissalina was used along with the weaker biofilm-forming Cyanobium sp. Biofilms were developed in defined hydrodynamic conditions using glass (a model hydrophilic surface) and a polymeric epoxy coating (a hydrophobic surface) as substrates. Biofilms developed in both surfaces at lower shear conditions contained a higher number of cells and presented higher

SUBMITTER: Faria SI 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7183090 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature