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Escherichia coli Biofilm Characteristics on Polymeric Heat Exchanger Surfaces
Author(s) -
Pohl Sebastian,
Madzgalla Marco,
Manz Werner,
Bart Hans-Jörg
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
chemical engineering and technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.403
H-Index - 81
eISSN - 1521-4125
pISSN - 0930-7516
DOI - 10.1002/ceat.201600389
Subject(s) - wetting , biofilm , adhesion , biofouling , surface energy , fouling , surface roughness , contact angle , escherichia coli , chemical engineering , extracellular polymeric substance , chemistry , materials science , surface finish , bacteria , composite material , biochemistry , biology , genetics , gene , engineering , membrane
Time‐dependent effects on the apparent roughness and surface free energy of different polymeric surfaces and stainless steel were studied during the biofouling process for Escherichia coli K12. The surface roughness increases during primary adhesion of E. coli on the surfaces and is later reduced as the surface between scattered bacteria is completely covered, forming a uniform biofilm. During the fouling process, the polar fraction of the surface free energy significantly increased, whereas the dispersive fraction decreased for all substrates. The attachment of E. coli and subsequent bacterial production of extracellular polymeric substances increased the polarity of the initially nonpolar polymeric surfaces to increase wettability.