Changes in growth characteristics and biofilm-forming activity of Escherichia coli with cholesterol available

Abstract

Aim.To assess the growth properties and formation of E. сoli biofilms with different concentrations of cholesterol available.
 Materials and methods. E. coli strains were cultivated in the meat-peptone broth with cholesterol added in the concentration of 3, 5, 7 and 9 mmol/l as well as in the nutrient medium without cholesterol. The growth parameters and cholesterol concentration in the samples prior to and after cultivating microorganisms and the effect of cholesterol on biofilm-forming activity of E. coli was determined.
 Results. Cholesterol was shown to have no bactericidal effect on E. coli, however, it is able to change the duration of growth phases of the strains that is, possibly, caused by adaptation to the presence of cholesterol and switching of metabolic pathways. Cholesterol has a stimulating effect on accumulation of biomass by the test-strain and its biofilm-forming activity.
 Conclusions. In the study performed, the ability of E. coli to metabolize human cholesterol was shown.