A new device for rapid evaluation of biofilm formation potential by bacteria

This work describes the implementation of a new assay named the BioFilm Ring Test to evaluate the ability of bacteria to form biofilms. This assay is based on the immobilisation (or not) of magnetic beads embedded by bacterial aggregates or mats (patented concept). It is realised on modified polystyrene 96-wells microtiter plates with individual 8-wells slides. The kinetic of biofilm formation of four bacterial species, Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus carnosus and Staphylococcus xylosus was evaluated with this new device by comparison with the standard crystal violet staining method of sessile cells. In parallel, the biofilm growth was visualized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) observations. The BioFilm Ring Test gave similar but faster results than the crystal violet method. Moreover, the new assay was easier to implement, more reproducible and allowed high throughput screenings due to limited manipulations (no washing and staining steps) and rapid and accurate measurements of magnetic bead immobilisation by sessile bacterial cells.