In Vitro Formation of Dickeya zeae MS1 Biofilm

Bacterial soft rot caused by Dickeya zeae MS1 (Erwinia chrysanthemi) is one of the most devastating banana diseases worldwide. However, knowledge of the development and ecological interactions of D. zeae MS1 biofilm is limited. Here, we visualized the development and architecture of D. zeae MS1 biofilm using confocal laser scanning microscopy, and we evaluated the ability of D. zeae MS1 to form biofilms under different environmental conditions (carbon sources, temperatures, pH levels and mineral elements) using a microtiter plate assay. We found that the development of D. zeae MS1 biofilm could be categorized into four phases and that mature biofilm consisted of a highly organized architecture of both bacterial cells and a self-produced matrix of extracellular polysaccharides. Furthermore, sucrose was the most suitable carbon source for supporting the growth of biofilm cells and that 32 °C and pH 7.0 were the most favorable of the temperatures and pH levels examined. Meanwhile, the addition of Ca²⁺, Fe²⁺, K⁺ and Na⁺ enhanced the formation of biofilm in minimal medium cultures, whereas 2.5 mM Cu²⁺ and Mn²⁺ was inhibitory. A better understanding of biofilm formation under different environmental parameters will improve our knowledge of the growth kinetics of D. zeae MS1 biofilm.