title: Electrochemical biofilm control: mechanism of action.
abstract: Although it has been previously demonstrated that an electrical current can be used to control biofilm growth on metal surfaces, the literature results are conflicting and there is no accepted mechanism of action. One of the suggested mechanisms is the production of hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) on metal surfaces. However, there are literature studies in which H(2)O(2) could not be detected in the bulk solution. This is most likely because H(2)O(2) was produced at a low concentration near the surface and could not be detected in the bulk solution. The goals of this research were (1) to develop a well-controlled system to explain the mechanism of action of the bioelectrochemical effect on 316L stainless steel (SS) surfaces and (2) to test whether the produced H(2)O(2) can reduce cell growth on metal surfaces. It was found that H(2)O(2) was produced near 316L SS surfaces when a negative potential was applied. The H(2)O(2) concentration increased towards the surface, while the dissolved oxygen decreased when the SS surface was polarized to -600 mV(Ag/AgCl). When polarized and non-polarized surfaces with identical Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 biofilms were continuously fed with air-saturated growth medium, the polarized surfaces showed minimal biofilm growth while there was significant biofilm growth on the non-polarized surfaces. Although there was no detectable H(2)O(2) in the bulk solution, it was found that the surface concentration of H(2)O(2) was able to prevent biofilm growth.
authors: The Gene and Linda Voiland School of Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA.
authors: Ozlem
authors: O
authors: Istanbullu
authors: Jerome
authors: J
authors: Babauta
authors: Hung
authors: H
authors: Duc Nguyen
authors: Haluk
authors: H
authors: Beyenal
mesh_terms: D018441:Biofilms; D057219:Biofouling / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000032:analysis / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D008839:Microelectrodes; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010100:Oxygen / Q000737:chemistry; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa; D013193:Stainless Steel; D013242:Sterilization / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D013193:Stainless Steel; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D010100:Oxygen