A Novel Method to Reveal a Ureolytic Biofilm Attachment and In Situ Growth Monitoring by Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy.

Abstract

The formation of biofilms capable of efficiently carrying out ureolysis is of fundamental importance in several biotechnological systems such as urinary tract infections, building materials and municipal wastewater treatment. This work proposes a straightforward method for the formation of a ureolytic biofilm attached to graphite. The proposed strategy reduced the time needed to complete ureolysis to 3days instead of 16days required in suspension culture. To confirm the formation of a ureolytic biofilm, scanning electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy studies were employed ex situ. However, it is imperative to analyse the biofilm by direct non-invasive techniques. Accordingly, open circuit potential (OCP) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were used as in situ monitoring techniques. The reduction in OCP from - 0.01 to - 0.2V vs. Ag/AgCl and the increase in capacitance from 200 to 260μFcm-2 were related to biofilm attachment. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time in which a ureolytic biofilm attachment has been analysed by EIS. The increase in the biomass from 0.04 to 2.81μm3μm-2 and in average thickness from 10.19 to 32.78μm was related to biofilm maturation.