Abstract
A biofilm is a complex biochemical structure composed of microorganisms and
extracellular polymeric substances used by microorganisms to adhere to each other
and to surfaces. The monitoring of molecular changes during biofilm formation in
situ can provide valuable insights in medicine, microbiology, and industrial
processes. In this study, we investigated the characterization of biofilm produced
by two model bacteria by using surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) with the use
of core silver (AgNPs)-shell chitosan nanoparticles (c-AgNPs), which are prepared by
coating citrate-reduced AgNPs with a thin layer of chitosan averaging 10 nm. The
chitosan thin film acts as porous layer and prevents the excess interactions of
biological media secreted by bacteria. The two model bacteria, <i>Escherichia
coli</i> and <i>Staphylococcus cohnii</i>, gram positive and gram negative, respectively,
were chosen for the study. The SERS spectra were acquired directly from the growth
culture by simply placing c-AgNPs substrate on the biofilm formed during the growth
of the bacteria for in situ monitoring. It was found that c-AgNPs are effective SERS
substrates to monitor molecular changes in the biofilm during the biofilm
formation.
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