Combined Theoretical and Experimental Approaches for Bacterial Aggregation Studies Towards the Improvement of Bioremediation Processes

DANIEL M.ALEJANDRA; GOTTING ANDREA; BERAHA, NATALIA; CARUSELA M.F.; D. VULLO

Journal of Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems

JSWEDES

Año: 2023

1848-9257

Pseudomonas extremaustralis 2E-UNGS is a microorganism native to the contaminatedReconquista River, Argentina. It can aggregate, develop biofilms and biosorb metals,properties that contribute to its application in bioreactor design. The aim of this work was tostudy the aggregate formation kinetics of P. extremaustralis 2E-UNGS for electroplatingeffluent biotreatment improvement. The kinetics was studied by brightfield microscopy andFIJI® for digital analysis. Time-dependent dispersion of cell cluster sizes was obtained. Aphysical model based on self-assembled 2D micelle dispersions was used to describe theenergetic cost of the aggregation process. A complex culture medium promoted the formationof small and compact cell aggregates. On the contrary, a minimal medium with 2% glycerolpromoted larger and lower density aggregates. Contrasting experimental and numerical resultsshed light on some of the mechanisms underlying the phenomenon of bacterial aggregationand are useful for optimising environmental biotechnologies.