Abstract
Biofilms can be considered the main source of microorganisms in drinking water distribution systems (DWDS). The ecology of a biofilm is dependent on a variety of factors, including the presence of microbial metabolites excreted by its inhabitants. This study reports the effect of the Gram-negative bacteria Methylobacterium oryzae on the idh gene expression levels and patulin production of Penicillium expansum mature biofilms. For this purpose, a RT-qPCR method to quantify idh mRNA levels was applied. In addition, the idh expression levels were compared with the patulin production. The results obtained revealed that the effect of the bacterium on pre-established P. expansum biofilms is dependent on the time of interaction. More mature P. expansum biofilms appear to be more resistant to the inhibitory effect that M. oryzae causes towards idh gene expression and patulin production. A positive trend was observed between the idh expression and patulin production values. The results indicate that M. oryzae affects patulin production by acting at the transcriptional level of the idh gene.
Highlights
Biofilms can be considered the main source of microorganisms in drinking water distribution systems (DWDS)
Quantification order Mass to assess the effect of M. oryzae on pre-established biofilms of P. expansum, In order to assess the effect of M.with oryzae onwas pre-established biofilms of P. mass expansum, the the standard
The parameters analyzed to understand this interaction were biofilm mass, bacterial colony forming units (CFU), idh gene expression, and patulin production from the developed biofilms. These microorganisms were chosen based on different characteristics: Their ability to form mature single-species biofilms between 48 and 72 h growth and since they have been assessed while forming inter-kingdom biofilms [12,13,32,34]
Summary
Biofilms can be considered the main source of microorganisms in drinking water distribution systems (DWDS). This study reports the effect of the Gram-negative bacteria Methylobacterium oryzae on the idh gene expression levels and patulin production of Penicillium expansum mature biofilms. More mature P. expansum biofilms appear to be more resistant to the inhibitory effect that M. oryzae causes towards idh gene expression and patulin production. Water biofilms can be considered the main source of microorganisms in drinking water distributions systems (DWDS) representing over 95% of biomass in these systems [1,2] They can cause the deterioration of drinking water quality through a variety of factors: Changes in the organoleptic properties of the water, act as a reservoir for pathogenic microorganisms, increase corrosion and blockage of pipes, and be responsible for the production of toxins [3,4,5,6,7].
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