About Biofilm
Biofilms are the accumulation of living matter on surfaces in natural environments. A biofilm is composed of living, reproducing microorganisms, such as bacteria, that exist as a colony, or community.
A biofilm forms when a microorganism adheres to the surface of an object in a moist environment and begins to reproduce. These first colonists adhere to the surface initially through weak, reversible van der Waals forces. They then anchor more permanently using cell adhesion molecules. Suitable conditions for the establishment of biofilm include nutrients, trace elements, oxygen, temperature, and near-neutral pH of the water. Biofilms may consist of mixtures of many species of bacteria, as well as fungi, algae, yeasts, protozoa, and other microorganisms, along with non-living debris and corrosion products.
Biofilms cost the U.S. literally billions of dollars every year in energy losses, equipment damage, and product contamination.
- By JoAnn Sanborn, February 2, 2011 -