Dynamics of Pseudomonas putida biofilms in an upscale experimental framework

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Biotechnology
• Chemical Engineering

Background:

• Industrial processes increasingly utilize biofilms for efficiency and predictability.
• Controlling biofilm physical structure is key for optimizing their performance.
• Limited data exists on surface-associated growth of Pseudomonas putida under varying hydrodynamic conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of hydrodynamics on biofilm formation by Pseudomonas putida.
• To characterize biofilm patterns under different Reynolds numbers (Re) within the laminar flow regime.
• To establish parameters for engineering catalytic biofilms using Pseudomonas putida.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of millimeter-scale biofilm patterns formed by P. putida mt-2.
• Utilized an experimental continuous cultivation assembly.
• Employed tile-scan image acquisition and customized image analysis.

Main Results:

• Biofilms exhibited dense, heterogeneous structures at Re = 1000.
• Sparse, flattened coverings were observed for Re < 400.
• Identified a specific hydrodynamic regime for stable P. putida biofilm coatings.

Conclusions:

• Hydrodynamics significantly influence Pseudomonas putida biofilm morphology.
• The study defines a narrow hydrodynamic range for stable biofilm formation.
• Findings provide parameters for engineering P. putida as a cell factory for catalytic biofilms.