Abstract
Pseudomonas fluorescens produces biofilms in a variety of environments, and in experimental situations has been shown to develop random mutations resulting in a phonotypical change in the resulting biofilm. One particular mutation resulted in the growth of a biofilm known as the Wrinkly Spreader, which produced a thicker, stronger biofilm that had a stronger attachment to the vial. It was also more stable at the Air-Liquid interface due to its relative hydrophobicity, whereas other biofilms are kept stable by buoyancy. By examining several strains of P. fluorescens and repeating the procedure it can become apparent …show more content…
In the case of a floccular material growth there is moderate attachment, strength and growth but when poured onto a petri dish the biofilm breaks up into many small particles (Figure 2.). This is also a commonly found growth. A waxy aggreagate is the only biofilm from the four categories that is rarely found in experimental conditions. It is described as a strong biofilm with good growth and attachment that-when poured- breaks up into thin wafer-like fragments. The physically cohesive biofilm is the strongest biofilm of them all, and the one produced by the WspR genotype. It presents a very strong biofilm with very good growth and attachment, that when poured out onto a petri dish retains its structure as a single flexible piece. Physically cohesive biofilms also show evidence of cellulose along with other EPS substances, showing that for a PC biofilm to form it must consist of a cellulose producing miscroorganism, of which the wrinkly spreader is. (Spiers et al. 2009).
The above table was compiled after several different groups carried out the experiment, taking an observation of which biofilm type each strain was believed to be. This was done by observing the biofilms in the vials, then pouring out the biofilms into petri dishes and using the above information to sort each into its believed