Freshwater jellyfish, a type of jellyfish exclusively found in freshwater, has a limited number of species but is found globally. However, their ecology and causes of occurrence are largely unknown. Therefore, understanding the distribution of polyps, which produce the larvae of freshwater jellyfish, can provide important data for comprehending their ecology. This study aims to explore the COI gene of freshwater jellyfish using environmental DNA from the microbial film in the Miho River system. Among the 12 survey points in the Miho River watershed, genetic material of freshwater jellyfish was detected in 8 points, mainly located upstream near reservoirs. These genetic materials were identified as genes of the well-known freshwater jellyfish species, Craspedacusta sowerbii. Notably, the C. sowerbii genes found in the Miho River watershed survey points were closely related to a species previously discovered in Italy. Consequently, utilizing environmental DNA to explore the genetic traces of freshwater jellyfish enables rapid screening of areas with a high likelihood of freshwater jellyfish occurrence. This approach is deemed to provide crucial information for understanding the distribution and ecology of freshwater jellyfish in Korea.

Biofilms are complexly structured communities of microorganisms composed of surface-attached microorganisms, where their effects on the host have been controversial. In this study, we investigated the potential biofilm-forming capacity of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus LRH020 (DSM25568) by detecting genes known to promote biofilm formation. It was shown that the aggregation substance gene (asa 1) was presented in the LRH020 strain. Therefore, we investigated the phenotypic activities of the gene asa1 via two methods: biofilm formation and autoaggregation activity. It was shown that the strain LRH020 had significantly less ability to form biofilm compared to the positive control strain Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 19433. Furthermore, LRH020 exhibited biofilm-forming activity comparable to Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG), widely used probiotics. The auto-aggregation activity of LRH020 was also within the safe range similar to that of LGG. In conclusion, this study shows that both biofilmforming and auto-aggregation activities of the LRH020 are comparable to one of the most studied probiotics strains, LGG.

식중독 세균에 의한 biofilm 형성을 억제하는 효과를 시 험하기 위하여 cinnamon, clove 및 lemongrass 정유의 휘 발성 성분을 분석하였다. 또한 정유의 주요 항균활성 성 분이 polyethylene과 stainless steel 표면에서 식중독 세균 에 의한 biofilm 형성을 억제하는 효과에 대하여 조사하였 다. Cinnamon 정유의 주요 휘발성 성분은 cinnamaldehyde (38.30%), linalool (9.61%), β–caryophyllene (8.90%) 및 1,3,4-eugenol (8.19%)로 동정되었다. Clove 정유의 주요 휘발성 성분은 1,3,4-eugenol (61.84%)로 분석되었다. Lemongrass의 주요 휘발성 성분은 citral의 이성질체인 geranial (19.11%)과 neral (19.23%)로 검출되었으며, citral 은 isomeric acyclic monoterpene aldehydes로서 geranial (trans-citral, 19.11%)과 neral (cis-citral, 19.23%)의 혼합물 로 분석되었다. Cinnamon, clove 및 lemongrass의 주요 성 분 중 cinnamaldehyde, linalool, eugenol 및 citral이 disc diffusion assay에 의해 시험한 6종의 식중독 세균에 대하 여 강한 항균활성을 나타냈다. Eugenol (0.1%)과 citral은 polyethylene 및 stainless steel coupon 표면에서 식중독 세 균에 의해 형성된 biofilm에 대하여 강한 억제 작용을 나 타났다. Cinnamaldehyde (0.1%)는 Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 19112와 Staphylococcus aureus KCCM 11812에 의 해 형성된 biofilm에 대해 장한 억제 작용을 나타냈다. 연 구 결과 cinnamaldehyde, eugenol 및 citral 처리에 의해 식 중독 세균에 의한 biofilm 형성을 억제가 가능할 것으로 판단된다.

Recently microplastic (MP) biofilm is being attracted as an important environmental issue because it can act as a pollutant carrier in aqueous system. Therefore, this study investigated the MP biofilm communities originated from freshwater. The results showed the bacterial community structure of MP biofilm was distinctively different from the freshwater regardless of biofilm-forming condition and MP type. For MP biofilm communities exposed to raw freshwater, Solimonas variicoloris-like microbe, Frigidibacter albus-like microbe, Nitrospirillum amazonense-like microbe, and Pseudochroococcus couteii-like microbe became abundant, while Acinetobacter johnsonii, Macellibacteroides fermentans, and Sedimentibacter acidaminivorans-like microbe were found as major bacteria for MP biofilm communities exposed to organic rich condition. The results of this study suggest that the unique freshwater biofilm community could be formed on the MP surface.

Application of the membrane process to wastewater treatment and reuse has been increasing due to water shortage, water pollution and an increase in water demand. Membrane fouling including biofouling should be controlled to extend its application. In this study, modulation of diffusible signal factor (DSF) system, the quorum sensing (QS) system that regulates EPS formation by microorganisms, was considered as a promising option to manage biofouling. Among many DSF compounds, cis -2-Decenoic acids (CDA) was selected. The experimental results showed that, as the CDA concentration increased, the density and number of stained cells decreased. The lowest density was observed when the CDA concentration of 300 nM was applied. The EPS on membrane surface decreased with increasing concentration of CDA. The CDA dosing also affected the EPS composition. At the 300 nM CDA dose, the total EPS reduced by up to 57% and the protein fraction by 35%. This study revealed the biofilm reduction effect of CDA under various conditions for MBR sludge. The application of CDA can be adapted to control biofouling in the MBR process.

세균은 분리막, 식품 포장 필름 및 바이오 의료 기기와 같은 다양한 미생물 막의 표면 위에서 자란다. 미생물 막 의 성장은 엑소폴리사카라이드의 복잡한 구조 형성과 밀접한 관련이 있다. 미생물 막이 항균제의 대량 수송의 어려움으로 성 장하게 될 경우 항균효과는 급격하게 감소한다. 항균 활동을 활성화하기 위해서 막의 표면은 살균 특성이 있는 기능성 물질 들로 변형, 코팅 또는 고정한다. 한 가지 아이디어는 막 표면에 양전하 이온을 도입하는 것이다. 양전하 이온인 4차 암모늄 그룹의 존재는 마그네슘이나 칼슘같이 세균 세포벽에 존재하는 2가 금속이온을 대체할 수 있다. 세포막 파괴의 효능은 표면 환경에서 사용 가능한 작용제들의 이동성에 달려있다. 이 리뷰에서는 4차 암모늄 그룹, 헬라민(helamine), 쌍성이온(zwitter ion)과 같이 여러 살생물제를 포함하고 있는 막들을 다룬다.

항균활성이 뛰어난 식물 정유를 이용하여 식품가공 기구 및 용기에 다양하게 사용되는 polyethylene과 stainless steel 표면에 형성된 식중독 6종의 biofilm 형성에 대한 억제 효과를 연구하였다. 식물 정유 20종의 식중독 미생물에 대한 항균활성을 disk diffusion 방법으로 평가한 결과 cinnamon > clove > lemongrass > peppermint > pine needle 순으로 항균활성을 나타냈다. Cinnamon과 clove 정유의 최소억제농도(MIC)와 최소살균농도(MBC)는 각각 0.63-1.25 mg/mL과 1.25-2. mg/mL의 범위를 나타냈으며, lemongrass 정유의 MIC와 MBC는 각각 1.25-2.50 mg/mL 과 2.50-5.00 mg/mL로 약간 낮은 항균활성을 나타냈다. 정유 3종의 biofilm 형성 예방효과는 식중독 미생물과 polyethylene 및 stainless steel에 따라 다소 차이가 있었지만, 0.5% 농도의 cinnamon, clove와 lemongrass 정유를 식품접촉 표면에 미리 코팅하였을 때 biofilm 형성에 영향을 주는 것을 확인하였다. 정유의 농도가 증가할수록 모든 식중독 미생물에 대해서 biofilm 형성을 유의적으로 억제하였으며(P<0.05), 0.5% cinnamon과 clove 정유 처리에 의해 L. monocytogenes ATCC 19112와 S. aureus KCCM 11812의 biofilm이 형성되지 않았다. Polyethylene과 stainless steel coupon 표면에 형성된 식중독 미생물의 biofilm의 제거 효과를 측정한 결과, 식중독 미생물의 종류에 따라 차이가 있었지만 정유의 농도가 증가할수록 biofilm 제거 효과는 높아졌으며, 대체로 clove 정유의 biofilm 제거율이 높은 것으로 나타났다. 본 연구를 통하여 0.5%의 cinnamon과 clove 정유는 polyethylene과 stainless steel 표면에 식중독 미생물이 형성하는 biofilm을 예방, 성장 억제 및 제거할 수 있는 천연 소재로 적용이 가능한 것으로 나타났다.

Periodontitis and periimplantitis are caused as a result of dental biofilm formation. This biofilm is composed of multiple species of pathogens. Therefore, controlling biofilm formation is critical for disease prevention. To inhibit biofilm formation, sugars can be used to interrupt lectin-involving interactions between bacteria or between bacteria and a host. In this study, we evaluated the effect of D-Arabinose on biofilm formation of putative periodontal pathogens as well as the quorum sensing activity and whole protein profiles of the pathogens. Crystal violet staining, confocal laser scanning microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy revealed that D-Arabinose inhibited biofilm formation of Porphyromonas gingivalis , Fusobacterium nucleatum , and Tannerella forsythia . D-Arabinose also significantly inhibited the activity of autoinducer 2 of F. nucleatum and the expression of representative bacterial virulence genes. Furthermore, D-Arabinose treatment altered the expression of some bacterial proteins. These results demonstrate that D-Arabinose can be used as an antibiofilm agent for the prevention of periodontal infections.

Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus play important roles in dental caries. Coptis chinensis is a natural product with antimicrobial activity against enterobacteria; however, its effects on oral streptococci are still unknown. Therefore, the effects of C. chinensis on the growth and biofilm formation of the representative cariogenic bacteria S. mutans and S. sobrinus were investigated for the possible use of C. chinensis as an anticaries agent. The C. chinensis extract was diluted with sterile distilled water, and 0.1–2.5% of the extract was used in the experiment. The effects of the C. chinensis extract on the growth and glucan formation of S. mutans and S. sobrinus were measured by viable cell counting and spectrophotometry at 650 nm absorbance, respectively. Crystal violet staining was also carried out to confirm the C. chinensis extract’s inhibitory effect on biofilm formation. The C. chinensis extract significantly inhibited the growth of S. mutans and S. sobrinus at concentrations of ≥ 0.3% as compared with the control group. The viable cell count of colonies decreased by 1.7-fold and 1.2-fold at 2.5% and 1.25%, respectively, compared with the control group. The biofilm formation of S. mutans and S. sobrinus was inhibited by > 20-fold at C. chinensis extract concentrations of ≥ 1.25% as compared with the control group. In summary, the C. chinensis extract inhibited the growth and biofilm and glucan formation of S. mutans and S. sobrinus . Therefore, C. chinensis might be a potential candidate for controlling dental caries.

최근 가축에서 유래된 메티실린에 내성이 있는 황색포 도상구균과 감수성을 보이는 황색포도상구균(LA-MRSA/LAMSSA) 에 의한 사람의 감염증이 증가하는 추세이다. 이러한 LA-MRSA 및 LA-MSSA균주는 가축을 비롯한 축산업에 종사하는 사람들에게 전파가 이루어질 수 있다. 본 연구에서는 원유, 육우, 축산 종사자에서 분리된 20개의 MRSA 및 MSSA 균주를 이용하여 생물막 형성, 항균 펩타이드에 대한 저항성 및 과산화수소 저항성과 같은 황색포도상구균의 주요 병원성 인자를 평가하였다. 생물막 형성 실험에서는 MRSA와 MSSA간의 차이는 없었으며, 동물 유래 분리주와 사람 유래 분리주들 간의 비교에서도 차이가 없음이 확인 되었다. BMAP-28에 대한 감수성 시험 결과 MRSA-MSSA 또는 동물 분리-사람 분리 간의 차이가 없음을 확인하였다 . 생물막 형성과 BMAP-28 감수성과는 달리, 원유에서 분리된 MRSA 균주들의 H2O2에 대한 내성 증가가 확인 되었다 . 본 연구를 통하여 가축 및 축산업 종사자에서 분리된 LAMRSA와 LA-MSSA 균주의 주요 병원성 인자를 확인하였으며, 숙주 및 환경에서의 생존과 전파 가능성을 이해하는 데 기초 자료로 활용 될 수 있을 것이다.

Whey is a major by-product of cheese manufacture and contains many valuable constituents, such as β-lactoglobulin, lactoferrin and immunoglobulin. The current study determined the anti-biofilm activity of bioconversion of whey by Lactobacillus plantarum (LP-W), L. rhamnosus GG (LR-W), L. brevis (LB-W) and Enterococcus faecium (EF-W) against foodborne pathogenic bacteria, Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Listeria monocytogenes. When the foodborne pathogenic bacteria were co-incubated with LP-W, LR-W, LB-W or EF-W, biofilms by E. coli O157:H7 and L. monocytogenes were significantly reduced by all bioconversion of whey. Moreover, LP-W, LR-W, LB-W and EF-W also dramatically reduced pre-formed biofilm by E. coli O157:H7 and L. monocytogenes, suggesting that the bioconversion of whey effectively suppress the development and disruption of biofilm by foodborne pathogenic bacteria. Furthermore, in order to determine the growth kinetics of E. coli O157 and L. monocytogenes planktonic cells in the presence the bioconversion of whey, LP-W, LR-W, LB-W and EF-W did not significantly inhibited the growth of foodborne pathogenic bacteria, implying that the bioconversion of whey reduces the biofilm without the decrease of bacterial growth. Taken together, these results suggest that bioconversion of whey by lactic acid bacteria could be a promising agent for the reduction of microbial biofilm.

식중독 미생물이 polyethylene과 stainless steel의 표면에서 biofilm을 형성하는 특성에 대하여 온도와 시간이 미치는 영향을 조사하였다. 식중독 미생물 6종(Bacillus cereus, Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Salmonella Typhimurium) 32균주를 대상으로 예비실험을 하여 각 종별로 biofilm 형 성능이 강한 1균주씩을 선발하였다. 시험한 식중독 미생물 6종 모두 온도가 증가함에 따라 biofilm 형성능이 증가하였으며, 식중독 미생물의 종류와 polyethylene 및 stainless steel의 표면에 따른 차이는 일관된 경향을 나타내지 않았다. E. coli와 P. aeruginosa가 polyethylene 표면 에서 biofilm을 형성하는 능력은 stainless steel 표면에서 보다 유의적으로 높았다. 식중독 미생물은 표면에 균을 접종했을 때 바로 biofilm을 형성하였으며, E. coli, P. aeruginosa 및 S. Typhimurium은 접종 1시간 후에 모든 표면에서 biofilm을 형성하였다. Biofilm 형성 7일 후, S. aureus를 제외한 나머지 균주는 polyethylene과 stainless steel 표면에서 생존률에 차이가 없었다. 시험한 6종의 식중독 미생물의 경우 biofilm을 형성하는 능력은 균의 종류 및 polyethylene과 stainless steel 표면에 따라 다르게 나타났다.

Quorum sensing (QS) is a cell density-dependent communication mechanism between bacteria through small signaling molecules. When the number of QS signaling molecules reaches a threshold, they are transported back into the cells or recognized by membrane-bound receptors, triggering gene expression which affects various phenotypes including bioluminescence, virulence, adhesion, and biofilm formation. These phenotypes are beneficial for bacterial survival in harsh environments. This review summarizes the application of QS inhibitors for control of biofilm formation and virulence expression of periodontal pathogens.

Microorganisms detected in the biofilm not only cause secondary pollution of drinking water such as taste, odor and pathogenic disease but also increase the amount of disinfectant due to microbial regrowth during the transportation of tap water. In this work, the influence of C/N ratio in tap water on the characteristics of biofilm growth was examined. The C/N ratio of the tap water sample was controlled at 100:5, 100:10, 100:20, 100:30, and 100:40 by adding appropriate amounts of dextrose and (NH4)2SO4. Of the five C/N ratios, heterotrophic plate counts (HPC) was highest at the ratio of 100:10. Following the initial formation in all the five experimental conditions, natural detachment of the biofilm was observed. Extracellular enzyme activity (EEA) analyses showed that the change of the EEA during the experimental period was similar to that of the HPC, demonstrating a positive correlation between HPC and EEA. For TOC concentration in the tap water sample, approximately 75% of the TOC was consumed in 7 days of the experiment and 96% in 28 days. The TOC appeared to be relatively rapidly consumed at the initial phase of the biofilm growth. Consumption pattern of the ammonia nitrogen was different from the TOC consumption pattern showing the different role of ammonia nitrogen on the growth of biofilm.

바이오파울링은 역삼투막 여과 공정에서 운전 성능을 저해하는 주요 원인이다. 이전 연구들은 분리막 표면에 발생하는 바이오파울링을 제어하기 위해서 화학적 세정제를 주입하는 방법을 주로 사용하였다. 화학적 세정제의 주입은 분리막의 손상뿐만 아니라 이차적으로 수계 오염을 발생시키기 때문에 주입 농도와 운영 방법에 주의가 요구된다. 이러한 문제를 극복하기 위해, 본 연구에서는 분리막 표면에 생물막 저해제를 고정하여 바이오파울링을 제어하는 연구를 수행하였다. 표면 고정화를 위한 방법으로 Layer-by-layer 기술을 적용하였고, 생물막저해제로 클로르헥시딘과 글루타알데하이드를 사용하였다. 막 표면의 생물막 저해제 고정화는 미생물의 부착 억제 및 사멸로 생물막 형성이 지연되어 운전 성능이 유지되는 효과를 나타냈다.

Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) is one of the most important bacteria in the formation of dental plaque and dental caries. S. mutans adheres to an acquired pellicle formed on the tooth surface, and aggregates with many oral bacteria. It initiates plaque formation by synthesizing glucan from sucrose, which is catalyzed by glucosyltransferases. Propolis is a resinous mixture produced by honeybees, by mixing saliva and beeswax with secretions gathered from wood sap and flower pollen. Bees prevent pathogenic invasions by coating the propolis to the outer and inner surface of the honeycomb. Propolis has traditionally been used for the treatment of allergic rhinitis, asthma and dermatitis. We investigated the inhibitory effects of propolis ethanol extract on biofilm formation and gene expression of S. mutans. The biofilm formation of S. mutans was determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and safranin staining. We observed that the extract of propolis had an inhibitory effect on the formation of S. mutans biofilms at concentrations higher than 0.2 mg/ml. Real-time PCR analysis showed that the gene expression of biofilm formation, such as gbpB, spaP, brpA, relA and vicR of S. mutans, was significantly decreased in a dose dependent manner. The ethanol extract of propolis showed concentration dependent growth inhibition of S. mutans, and significant inhibition of acid production at concentrations of 0.025, 0.05, 0.1 and 0.2 mg/ml, compared to the control group. These results suggest that the ethanol extract of propolis inhibits gene expression related to biofilm formation in S. mutans.

Chlorhexidine has long been used in mouth washes for the control of dental caries, gingivitis and dental plaque. Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) is the lowest concentration of an antimicrobial substance to inhibit the growth of bacteria. Concentrations lower than the MIC are called sub minimal inhibitory concentrations (sub-MICs). Many studies have reported that sub-MICs of antimicrobial substances can affect the virulence of bacteria. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of sub-MIC chlorhexidine on biofilm formation and coaggregation of oral early colonizers, such as Streptococcus gordonii, Actinomyces naeslundii and Actinomyces odontolyticus. The biofilm formation of S. gordonii, A. naeslundii and A. odontolyticus was not affected by sub-MIC chlorhexidine. However, the biofilm formation of S. mutans increased after incubation with sub-MIC chlorhexidine. In addition, cell surface hydrophobicity of S. mutans treated with sub-MIC of chlorhexidine, decreased when compared with the group not treated with chlorhexidine. However, significant differences were seen with other bacteria. Coaggregation of A. naeslundii with A. odontolyticus reduced by sub-MIC chlorhexidine, whereas the coaggreagation of A. naeslundii with S. gordonii remained unaffected. These results indicate that sub-MIC chlorhexidine could influence the binding properties, such as biofilm formation, hydrophobicity and coaggregation, in early colonizing streptococci and actinomycetes.