Quantitative evaluation of biofilm extracellular DNA by fluorescence-based techniques

The formation of a hardly removable biofilm in food processing and clinical settings calls for a deeper understanding of composition of the matrix that protects the biofilm cells, as the crucial matrix component is extracellular DNA (eDNA), participating in adhesion, aggregation and penetration reduction, yet serving as a horizontal gene transfer reservoir. Therefore, we evaluated eDNA release from the biofilm of two pathogens, Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus, with respect to their origin under different culturing condition. Primarily, the biofilms were observed by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) under conditions mimicking the food processing environment and human body. The eDNA was quantitatively characterised based on its area by IMARIS. Next, the eDNA content and biofilm formation were quantified by spectrophotometry. Data from both sets of experiments were statistically evaluated. The eDNA release varied between the microorganism, culturing conditions and the origin of strains. Independent of the method used, the clinical strains of S. aureus released more eDNA than the food related strains at 37 °C. eDNA content can be crucial discriminating matrix component between food related and clinical strains. Deeper understanding of the eDNA role in such a phenomenon could facilitate the design of effective strategy for biofilm disruption.