Abstract
Background
Biofilm infections are resistant and seriously harmful to human health, real-time monitoring of the effects of anti-biofilm drugs on biofilms is critical for screening of new anti-biofilm drugs. Microbial fuel cell (MFC)-based biosensor with Pseudomonas aeruginosa as electricigens was constructed.
Results
The effects of silver and gold nanoparticles on the cell metabolic activity and biofilm formation of P. aeruginosa in MFC-based biosensor were investigated and compared with the anti-biofilm assessment results by crystal violet staining. The gold nanoparticles facilitated planktonic cells growth in anolyte and biofilm formation on the anode, while silver nanoparticles inhibited the growth of both planktonic cells and biofilm. The phenazine secreted in anolyte was decreased with the addition of gold nanoparticles but increased with the addition of silver nanoparticle. In comparison, the biofilm formed on the glass covers in microwell plates by crystal violet staining were inhibited by both of silver and gold nanoparticles. The growth restricted condition in MFC-biosensor and its discharging state resulted in the different response of cells to nanoparticles.
Conclusions
MFC-based biosensor as a potential method for the assessment of drug susceptibility, the actual cell metabolic activity and biofilm formation in it should be studied for the accurate comprehension of the interaction between drugs and electricigens.