Macromolecular composition of unsaturated Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms with time and carbon source

Bacteria in nature grow mostly as biofilms, surface-associated cells enveloped by hydrated extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) of bacterial origin. The composite of EPS and biofilm cells is measured when quantifying bacterial biomass from natural samples. However, little is known regarding the relative magnitude of the EPS and cellular fractions of biofilm biomass, particularly in unsaturated systems such as soil and food surfaces. In this study, we examined the cellular and extracellular fractions of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms for DNA, protein and carbohydrate content. Biofilms were cultured in a model laboratory system that simulates the nutrient gradients and poorly mixed nature of unsaturated systems. We found that unsaturated biofilms exhibited two growth phases – an initial rapid phase and a second phase of slower or negligible development. However, no lag phase was observed for either carbon source. Cellular DNA accumulated linearly with biomass whereas cellular protein and carbohydrates accumulated exponentially with biomass. High levels of carbohydrate, protein and DNA were observed in the EPS of all samples, representing as much as 50% of these macromolecules in the biofilm. Most EPS accumulated during the second phase of growth, when cellular DNA increased only slightly. However, for biofilms cultured on a poorly bioavailable carbon source, EPS DNA decreased during the second phase, suggesting that EPS may affect bacterial survival under nutrient-limited conditions. Whether a product of overflow metabolism or cell lysis, EPS is a significant component of unsaturated biofilm biomass that probably impacts on bacterial ecology.