Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Agriculture, University of Fort Hare, PMB X1314, Alice 5700, South Africa; Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Box 63, Buea, Cameroon
Nyenje, M.E., Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Agriculture, University of Fort Hare, PMB X1314, Alice 5700, South Africa; Green, E., Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Agriculture, University of Fort Hare, PMB X1314, Alice 5700, South Africa; Ndip, R.N., Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Agriculture, University of Fort Hare, PMB X1314, Alice 5700, South Africa, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Box 63, Buea, Cameroon
This study evaluated the effects of growth medium, temperature, and incubation time on biofilm formation by Enterobacter cloacae strains. The ability to adhere to a surface was demonstrated using a microtiter plate adherence assay whereas the role of cell surface properties in biofilm formation was assessed using the coaggregation and autoaggregation assays. The architecture of the biofilms was examined under scanning electron microscope (SEM). All the strains adhered to the well of the microtiter plate when incubated for 48 h, irrespective of the growth medium and incubation temperature. It was also noted that 90% and 73% of strains prepared from nutrient broth and cultured in brain heart infusion (BHI) broth and tryptic soy broth (TSB), respectively, were able to form biofilms, in contrast to 73% and 60% strains from nutrient agar and cultured in BHI and TSB respectively grown under similar conditions. However, no statistically significant difference was observed when the two methods were compared. The coaggregation index ranged from 12% to 74%, with the best coaggregate activity observed when partnered with Streptococcus pyogenes (54%-74%). The study indicates the suitability of BHI and TSB medium for the cultivation of E. cloacae biofilms, however, temperature and incubation time significantly affect biofilm formation by these bacteria. © 2013 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
article; biofilm; culture medium; drug effect; Enterobacter cloacae; food control; growth, development and aging; South Africa; temperature; biofilm; culture medium; drug effects; Enterobacter cloacae; growth, development and aging; pharmacology; Biofilms; Culture Media; Enterobacter cloacae; Food Microbiology; South Africa; Temperature; culture medium; Biofilms; Culture Media; Enterobacter cloacae; Food Microbiology; South Africa; Temperature
