Taxonomic and functional characterization of biofilms from a photovoltaic panel reveals high genetic and metabolic complexity of the communities.
J Appl Microbiol
; 135(9)2024 Sep 02.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-39257028
ABSTRACT
AIMS:
Biofilms are complex microbial cell aggregates that attach to different surfaces in nature, industrial environments, or hospital settings. In photovoltaic panels (PVs), biofilms are related to significant energy conversion losses. In this study, our aim was to characterize the communities of microorganisms and the genes involved in biofilm formation. METHODS ANDRESULTS:
In this study, biofilm samples collected from a PV system installed in southeastern Brazil were analyzed through shotgun metagenomics, and the microbial communities and genes involved in biofilm formation were investigated. A total of 2030 different genera were identified in the samples, many of which were classified as extremophiles or producers of exopolysaccharides. Bacteria prevailed in the samples (89%), mainly the genera Mucilaginibacter, Microbacterium, Pedobacter, Massilia, and Hymenobacter. The functional annotation revealed >12 000 genes related to biofilm formation and stress response. Genes involved in the iron transport and synthesis of c-di-GMP and c-AMP second messengers were abundant in the samples. The pathways related to these components play a crucial role in biofilm formation and could be promising targets for preventing biofilm formation in the PV. In addition, Raman spectroscopy analysis indicated the presence of hematite, goethite, and ferrite, consistent with the mineralogical composition of the regional soil and metal-resistant bacteria.CONCLUSIONS:
Taken together, our findings reveal that PV biofilms are a promising source of microorganisms of industrial interest and genes of central importance in regulating biofilm formation and persistence.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Bases de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Bactérias
/
Biofilmes
País/Região como assunto:
America do sul
/
Brasil
Idioma:
En
Revista:
J Appl Microbiol
Assunto da revista:
MICROBIOLOGIA
Ano de publicação:
2024
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Brasil