Abstract
Bacterial attachment is influenced by the cell surface, attachment media and other environmental factors. Bacterial community composition involved in biofilm formation in extremely high rainfall areas like Cherrapunjee has not been reported. The present study was undertaken to characterize bacteria involved in biofilm formation on different substrata in water bodies of Cherrapunjee, the highest rainfall receiving place on planet earth and to assess if the continuous rainfall has an effect on nature and colonization of biofilm bacteria. We developed the biofilm bacteria on stainless steel and glass surfaces immersed in water bodies of the study sites. Isolation of biofilm bacteria were performed on different culture media followed by estimation of protein and carbohydrate content of bacterial exopolysaccharides. 16S rRNA gene sequences were amplified for molecular characterization. The results showed that the biofilm bacterial diversity in water bodies of Cherrapunjee was influenced by substratum and was observed more in stainless steel than glass surface. Scanning electron microscopy images revealed that biofilm microstructure may represent a key determinant of biofilm growth and physiology of associated bacteria. The overall protein content of the extracted EPS of all the isolates were relatively higher than the carbohydrate content. Diverse bacteria proliferated on the substrata regardless of each other's presence, with more diverse bacteria colonizing the substrata on 7th day compared to 15th day of incubation. The biofilm bacteria compositions in the highest rainfall receiving habitat were not distinctly different from reports available, hence not unique from other water bodies.
Highlights
IntroductionCherrapunjee (25 ̊17' - 25 ̊18'N and 91 ̊41'E - 91 ̊42'W), in India is the highest rainfall receiving area of the earth (average annual rainfall of 12,000 mm; Nov-Feb period being dry winter period with nominal or no rainfall and the rest eight months receive almost daily rains) where the soil is completely eroded due to deforestation and has only sparse grass cover
Cherrapunjee (25 ̊17' - 25 ̊18'N and 91 ̊41'E - 91 ̊42'W), in India is the highest rainfall receiving area of the earth where the soil is completely eroded due to deforestation and has only sparse grass cover
The results showed that the biofilm bacterial diversity in water bodies of Cherrapunjee was influenced by substratum and was observed more in stainless steel than glass surface
Summary
Cherrapunjee (25 ̊17' - 25 ̊18'N and 91 ̊41'E - 91 ̊42'W), in India is the highest rainfall receiving area of the earth (average annual rainfall of 12,000 mm; Nov-Feb period being dry winter period with nominal or no rainfall and the rest eight months receive almost daily rains) where the soil is completely eroded due to deforestation and has only sparse grass cover. Biofilms are complex aggregation of microorganisms embedded in a self-produced matrix and adhering to inert or living surfaces [3]. They are characterized by structural heterogeneity, genetic diversity, complex community interactions, and an extracellular matrix of polymeric substances (EPS). This matrix protects the cells within it and facilitates communication among them through chemical and physical signals. Surfaces with high surface free energies such as stainless steel and glass are more hydrophilic. These surfaces generally show greater bacterial attachment than hydrophobic surfaces such as Teflon, Buna-n rubber and fluorinated hydrocarbon.
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