Raman spectroscopic signatures of carotenoids and polyenes enable label-free visualization of microbial distributions within pink biofilms.

ABSTRACT: Pink biofilms are multispecies microbial communities that are commonly found in moist household environments. The development of this pink stain is problematic from an aesthetic point of view, but more importantly, it raises hygienic concerns because they may serve as a potential reservoir of opportunistic pathogens. Although there have been several studies of pink biofilms using molecular analysis and confocal laser scanning microscopy, little is known about the spatial distributions of constituent microorganisms within pink biofilms, a crucial factor associated with the characteristics of pink biofilms. Here we show that Raman spectroscopic signatures of intracellular carotenoids and polyenes enable us to visualize pigmented microorganisms within pink biofilms in a label-free manner. We

SUBMITTER: Horiue H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7206103 | biostudies-literature | 2020 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature