Generation of bio-hydrogen is a new frontier in hydrogen production field. A number of bacteria have been considered for this purpose. Within these we have studied Thermotoga neapolitana (DSM 4359, ATCC 49049) strain, a rodshaped, gram-negative, non-sporulating, anaerobic bacterium that is able to release bio-hydrogen and produce lactic acid from waste organic matter, in a selective environment (>80ºC) [1,2]. These performances make the bacterium suitable for biotechnology applications of energy interest. As reported by Kelly and coworkers, the congener hyperthermophilic bacterium Thermotoga maritima is able to form biofilm in bioreactor glass walls or on nylon mesh, and polycarbonate filters in maltose-based media at 80 degrees C. Most notably, T. maritima biofilm-bound cells exhibited increased transcription of genes involved in iron and sulfur transport, as well as in biosynthesis of NAD/NADH and isoprenoid side chains of quinones. Redox mediators are involved in these chains and this suggests the possibility of using biofilm forming strains for bio-electrochemical applications. For this purpose a key, still unresolved challenge is the formation of biofilm on conductive materials. The formation of biofilms depends on the type of surface to adhere. The capability of hyperthermophilic and strictly anaerobic Thermotoga neapolitana to adhere on different materials was investigated in this work. Different geometries of conductive and not conductive substrates have been tested for inducing biofilm of Thermotoga neapolitana including carbon based woven and not-woven fabrics, metallic fabric and coated materials. A selected material was used for inducing electrical stress with the aims of verify if T. neapolitana is sensible to electrostimulation. The results demonstrated the Thermotoga neapolitana aptitude to attach on conductive graphite as well as on porous alluminosilicate. Time differences in the biofilm evolution were detected, main depending of the material characteristics. Test on carbon based electrodes supported changes in the final fermentation products in respect to the reference process under standard conditions [3-6]
Study of substrates for Thermotoga neapolitana biofilms
G Squadrito;A Fontana;G D'Ippolito;
2019
Abstract
Generation of bio-hydrogen is a new frontier in hydrogen production field. A number of bacteria have been considered for this purpose. Within these we have studied Thermotoga neapolitana (DSM 4359, ATCC 49049) strain, a rodshaped, gram-negative, non-sporulating, anaerobic bacterium that is able to release bio-hydrogen and produce lactic acid from waste organic matter, in a selective environment (>80ºC) [1,2]. These performances make the bacterium suitable for biotechnology applications of energy interest. As reported by Kelly and coworkers, the congener hyperthermophilic bacterium Thermotoga maritima is able to form biofilm in bioreactor glass walls or on nylon mesh, and polycarbonate filters in maltose-based media at 80 degrees C. Most notably, T. maritima biofilm-bound cells exhibited increased transcription of genes involved in iron and sulfur transport, as well as in biosynthesis of NAD/NADH and isoprenoid side chains of quinones. Redox mediators are involved in these chains and this suggests the possibility of using biofilm forming strains for bio-electrochemical applications. For this purpose a key, still unresolved challenge is the formation of biofilm on conductive materials. The formation of biofilms depends on the type of surface to adhere. The capability of hyperthermophilic and strictly anaerobic Thermotoga neapolitana to adhere on different materials was investigated in this work. Different geometries of conductive and not conductive substrates have been tested for inducing biofilm of Thermotoga neapolitana including carbon based woven and not-woven fabrics, metallic fabric and coated materials. A selected material was used for inducing electrical stress with the aims of verify if T. neapolitana is sensible to electrostimulation. The results demonstrated the Thermotoga neapolitana aptitude to attach on conductive graphite as well as on porous alluminosilicate. Time differences in the biofilm evolution were detected, main depending of the material characteristics. Test on carbon based electrodes supported changes in the final fermentation products in respect to the reference process under standard conditions [3-6]I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
