A surface modified microbial polymer inactivates quorum sensing molecules and incapacitates Sphingomonas paucimobilis biofilm formation in plumbing material

Abstract

We report the potential antibiofilm properties of a chemically modified biopolymer on the formation of biofilms by Sphingomonas paucimobilis MG6 an opportunist pathogen isolated from distributed drinking water systems. The biopolymer obtained from the producer bacteria K. terrigena was quarternized and examined for safety using RAW 264.7 cell lines. The modified biopolymer (N-methyl biopolymer: NMB) at 1mg/ml inactivated AHL homologs of S. paucimobilis at ambient temperature. GC-MS and C. violaceum biosensor assays were used to evaluate loss of AHL molecules. On NMB coated coupons loss of biofilm formation under static conditions, was visualized by a rapid calcofluor assays and scanning electron micrographs (SEM). Applicability was further investigated in a flow through apparatus afforded with different plumbing materials, coated with NMB. Leaching of NMB was not observed and a complete absence of biofilms was noted on coated materials, especially in PVC. SEM and viable counts corroborated these observations. Overall, results of this study suggest that the novel material offers as a potential sustainable approach for controlling biofilms in drinking water systems.