Northern Kentucky University
Implication of Siderophores in Bacterial Adhesion onto Metal Oxide Surfaces
Institution
Northern Kentucky University
Faculty Advisor/ Mentor
Heather Bullen
Abstract
Biofilms are problematic in industrial, agricultural, and medical settings leading to corrosion and contamination. This research focused on the role of siderophores (organic ligands produced by many bacteria that have a high affinity for iron) in biofilm formation. The affinity of siderophores for metal ions could have the potential to influence the initial stages of biofilm formation (bacterial adhesion) on metal oxide surfaces. Siderophore/metal oxide interactions were modeled with various metal oxides using attenuated total reflectance infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) and dissolution analysis as a function of pH and ionic strength. These results were correlated with the catecholate siderophore, pyoverdin produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, an opportunistic human pathogen. The effect of siderophore production on P. aeruginosa biofilm formation was monitored using scanning probe microscopy and ATR-FTIR.
Implication of Siderophores in Bacterial Adhesion onto Metal Oxide Surfaces
Biofilms are problematic in industrial, agricultural, and medical settings leading to corrosion and contamination. This research focused on the role of siderophores (organic ligands produced by many bacteria that have a high affinity for iron) in biofilm formation. The affinity of siderophores for metal ions could have the potential to influence the initial stages of biofilm formation (bacterial adhesion) on metal oxide surfaces. Siderophore/metal oxide interactions were modeled with various metal oxides using attenuated total reflectance infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) and dissolution analysis as a function of pH and ionic strength. These results were correlated with the catecholate siderophore, pyoverdin produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, an opportunistic human pathogen. The effect of siderophore production on P. aeruginosa biofilm formation was monitored using scanning probe microscopy and ATR-FTIR.