Article

Bismuth dimercaptopropanol (BisBAL) inhibits the expression of extracellular polysaccharides and proteins by Brevundimonas diminuta: Implications for membrane microfiltration

  1. Appala Raju Badireddy1,
  2. Shankararaman Chellam1,2,†,*,
  3. Svetlana Yanina3,
  4. Paul Gassman3,
  5. Kevin M. Rosso3

Article first published online: 17 AUG 2007

DOI: 10.1002/bit.21615

Issue

Biotechnology and Bioengineering

Biotechnology and Bioengineering

Volume 99, Issue 3, pages 634–643, 15 February 2008

Additional Information

How to Cite

Badireddy, A. R., Chellam, S., Yanina, S., Gassman, P. and Rosso, K. M. (2008), Bismuth dimercaptopropanol (BisBAL) inhibits the expression of extracellular polysaccharides and proteins by Brevundimonas diminuta: Implications for membrane microfiltration. Biotechnology and Bioengineering, 99: 634–643. doi: 10.1002/bit.21615

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Houston, 4800 Calhoun Road, Houston, Texas 77204-4003; telephone: 713-743-4265; fax: 713-743-4260

  2. 2

    Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, Texas 77204-4004

  3. 3

    Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99352

  1. †

    Associate Professor.

*Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Houston, 4800 Calhoun Road, Houston, Texas 77204-4003; telephone: 713-743-4265; fax: 713-743-4260.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 19 DEC 2007
  2. Article first published online: 17 AUG 2007
  3. Manuscript Revised: 24 JUL 2007
  4. Manuscript Accepted: 24 JUL 2007
  5. Manuscript Received: 11 MAY 2007

Funded by

  • National Science Foundation CAREER Program. Grant Number: BES-0134301
  • Texas Hazardous Waste Research Center. Grant Number: 066UHH2925

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Keywords:

  • biofilm;
  • extracellular polymeric substances (EPS);
  • membrane filtration;
  • biofouling;
  • bismuth;
  • microfiltration;
  • ultrafiltration

Abstract

A 2:1 molar ratio preparation of bismuth with a lipophilic dithiol (3-dimercapto-1-propanol, BAL) significantly reduced extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) expression by Brevundimonas diminuta in suspended cultures at levels just below the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). Total polysaccharides and proteins secreted by B. diminuta decreased by approximately 95% over a 5-day period when exposed to the bismuth-BAL chelate (BisBAL) at near MIC (12 µM). Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) suggested that a possible mechanism of biofilm disruption by BisBAL is the inhibition of carbohydrate O-acetylation. FTIR also revealed extensive homology between EPS samples with and without BisBAL treatment, with proteins, polysaccharides, and peptides varying predominantly only in the amount expressed. EPS secretion decreased following BisBAL treatment as verified by atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Without BisBAL treatment, a slime-like EPS matrix secreted by B. diminuta resulted in biofouling and inefficient hydrodynamic backwashing of microfiltration membranes. Bioeng. 2008;99: 634–643. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

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