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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Athens, Georgia » U.S. National Poultry Research Center » Toxicology & Mycotoxin Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #319605
Title: Bacillus mojavensis biofilm formation and biosurfactant production using a Laser Ablation Electrospray Ionization System

Author
item Bacon, Charles
item Hinton, Dorothy
item Mitchell, Trevor

Submitted to: American Phytopathological Society Annual Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/8/2015
Publication Date: 8/1/2015
Citation: Bacon, C.W., Hinton, D.M., Mitchell, T.R. 2015. Bacillus mojavensis biofilm formation and biosurfactant production using a Laser Ablation Electrospray Ionization System. American Phytopathological Society Annual Meeting. August 1-5, 2015. Pasadena, CA.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Biofilms are important extracellular polymeric compounds produced by bacteria that are useful for developmental phases including motility, swarming, signaling processes, and for hydrophobic nutrient utilization, all of which are important attributes for endophytic bacteria with biocontrol potential. Therefore, it is important to determine the ability of strains used for biocontrol purposes to produce biofilms. Laser ablation electrospray ionization (LAESI) MS technology is a modern method that allows the in situ molecular cell imaging of tissues, resulting in a fast, accurate, noninvasive measurement and chemical analyses of microbes and hosts parasitic interactions. An endophytic biocontrol bacterium, Bacillus mojavensis, was analyzed by LAESI MS to determine biofilm production relative to biosurfactants, and antagonisms to the maize pathogen Fusarium verticillioides. Nine strains were grown in stationary cultures to determine biofilm development and correlated with biosurfactants (surfactin and fengycin). The results indicated that all strains were motile and developed biofilms at the air-liquid interface of the culture medium. The data indicated that the in vitro production and biofilms could not be correlated to antagonism since all strains are antagonistical to F. verticillioides. However, it may be possible that homologues and concentrations of surfactin and fengycin and other unknown biosurfactants are interactive in the control of this pathogen.