Biofilm thickness variability investigated with a laser triangulation sensor

Citation
Wjh. Okkerse et al., Biofilm thickness variability investigated with a laser triangulation sensor, BIOTECH BIO, 70(6), 2000, pp. 619-629
Citations number
37
Categorie Soggetti
Biotecnology & Applied Microbiology",Microbiology
Journal title
BIOTECHNOLOGY AND BIOENGINEERING
ISSN journal
00063592 → ACNP
Volume
70
Issue
6
Year of publication
2000
Pages
619 - 629
Database
ISI
SICI code
0006-3592(200012)70:6<619:BTVIWA>2.0.ZU;2-1
Abstract
Measurement of the surface roughness and thickness of biological films is l aborious and usually destructive, thus hampering research in this area. We developed a laser triangulation sensor (LTS) set-up for the fast and nondes tructive measurement of these biofilm parameters during growth. Using LTS m easurements, the morphological development of a dichloromethane-(DCM) degra ding biofilm cultured on a wetted-wall column was studied. The measurements show that the biofilm develops faster at the entrance of the reactor. The biofilm consisted of a base film in which microbial colonies were embedded. The biofilm-surface area gradually increased by 23% compared to the bare s urface due to the formation of a large number of these colonies. The number and shape of these colonies were followed in time. Using LTS measurements, biofilms distinctly different in surface roughness could be distinguished in a laboratory trickling filter removing DCM from a waste gas. The consequ ences of the observed surface characteristics for the reaction-diffusion pr ocess in the biofilm and for the falling film hydrodynamics are discussed. (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons.