What is Biofilm?

Technically, biofilms are a conglomeration of bacteria,The biofilm functions as a protective hydrated barrier
fungi, algae, protozoa, debris, or corrosion productsbetween the bacterial cells and their environment. It
embedded in a self-produced and secreted matrix offacilitates survival under harsh conditions and
extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). The EPS canenvironmental insults such as ultraviolet radiation,
be composed of polysaccharides, proteins, nucleicphysicochemical stresses, desiccation, and insufficient
acids, and lipids. Essentially, biofilm may form whensupply of nutritive resources. For these reasons, in
bacteria adhere to surfaces in aqueous environmentsnature most microbes live as communities in biofilms.
and begin to excrete EPS, a slimy, glue-like substanceOn the other hand, since bacteria in biofilms are more
that can anchor them to all kinds of material - suchresistant to antibiotics, biofilm formation on in-dwelling
as metals, plastics, soil particles, medical implantmedical devices and damaged tissue, such as
materials, and tissue. Once anchored to a surface,catheters and prosthetic joints and heart valves, is an
biofilm microorganisms carry out a variety ofongoing medical concern. For the industry, biofilms
detrimental or beneficial reactions (by humancost the billions of dollars yearly in equipment
standards), depending on the surroundingdamage, product contamination and energy losses.
environmental conditions.  One example of beneficialThe biofilm phenomenon impacts a wide range of
reaction is the application of biofilm to degrade vinylindustries, including petroleum, specialty chemicals,
chloride, a toxic solvent that have contaminatedhealth, household products, drinking water, mining,
groundwater and endangered a drinking waterand utilities.
resource.