Raman spectroscopic differentiation of planktonic bacteria and biofilms

Leveraging the microbiome to combat antibiotic resistant gynecological infections

The vaginal resistome can be considered a collection of the resistant determinants in the vaginal microbiome. Here we review the vaginal resistome including the microbes and resistant genes harbored in common gynecological infections, vaginal microbes that participate in horizontal gene transfer, host factors that contribute to the resistome, and common therapies. Finally, we provide perspective on technologies that can be leveraged to study the vaginal resistome and remaining challenges.

Raman Microspectroscopy to Trace the Incorporation of Deuterium from Labeled (Micro)Plastics into Microbial Cells

The ubiquitous use of plastics demands thoughtfulness about their fate in the environment. Biodegradability is, therefore, a prerequisite for the future use of plastics in many applications, including agriculture. Here, we bring forward stable isotope (resonance) Raman microspectroscopy at the single-cell level to broaden the mechanistic understanding of microbial degradation of (micro)plastics in natural systems. We selected perdeuterated d-polylactic acid (dPLA) as model plastic, synthesized from d-lactic acid-d4, via enantioselective, biocatalytic reduction of pyruvate-d3. With dPLA in hand, we traced the deuterium label during incubation experiments into microbial biomass using C-D vibrations (appear in the Raman-silent region of undeuterated biomass, 2050-2300 cm-1). The 2068 cm-1 C-D band was indicative of strongly deuterated lipids enabling the detection of metabolic differences during incubation with dPLA (i.e., stronger lipid and weaker protein deuteration) compared to glucose-d12 and D2O as alternative D sources. Single-cell analysis was the key to detecting phenotypic heterogeneity and classifying cells of the naturally occurring bacterium Sphingomonas koreensis in two clusters: one showed a significantly stronger deuteration level than the Escherichia coli control, whereas the other was nonlabeled. The deuterium label could even be detected in the strong resonance Raman signal of carotenoids, highlighting the potential for high throughput technologies like imaging and cell sorting. To further demonstrate the transferability to environmental samples, the experiment was repeated with soil bacteria isolates, and deuterium uptake from dPLA into microbial biomass was observed after 2 weeks.

Evaluation of Cinnamon Essential Oil and Its Emulsion on Biofilm-Associated Components of Acinetobacter baumannii Clinical Strains

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Acinetobacter baumannii, one of the most dangerous pathogens, is able to form biofilm structures and aggravate its treatment. For that reason, new antibiofilm agents are in need, and new sources of antibiofilm compounds are being sought from plants and their products. Cinnamon essential oil is associated with a wide spectrum of biological activities, but with a further improvement of its physicochemical properties it could provide even better bioavailability. The aim of this work was the evaluation of the antibiofilm properties of cinnamon essential oil and its emulsion.

METHODS

In order to evaluate the antibiofilm activity, crystal violet assay was performed to determine biofilm biomass. The main components of the biofilm matrix were measured as well as the motile capacity of the tested strains. Gene expression was monitored with RT-qPCR, while treated biofilms were observed with Raman spectroscopy.

RESULTS

A particularly strong potential against pre-formed biofilm with a decreased biomass of up to 66% was found. The effect was monitored not only with regard to the whole biofilm biomass, but also on the individual components of the biofilm matrix such as exopolysaccharides, proteins, and eDNA molecules. Protein share drops in treated biofilms demonstrated the most consistency among strains and rose to 75%. The changes in strain motility and gene expressions were investigated after the treatments were carried out. Raman spectroscopy revealed the influence of the studied compounds on chemical bond types and the components present in the biofilm matrix of the tested strains.

CONCLUSIONS

The results obtained from this research are promising regarding cinnamon essential oil and its emulsion as potential antibiofilm agents, so further investigation of their activity is encouraged for their potential use in biomedical applications.

Utilization of non-pathogenic bacteria to obtain optimum biofilm production for beneficial applications

Depending on the bacteria embedded in the extracellular polymeric layer, biofilms can be advantageous or harmful. The isolated strains used in this investigation are already established to be beneficial biofilm-producing bacteria. In order to use them effectively in various domains, it is necessary to characterize them and understand their ideal physiological characteristics for maximum biofilm growth. This study used genome sequence analysis to identify and characterize strains isolated from water samples in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India. The nucleotide sequences were submitted to NCBI GenBank under the accession numbers Bacillus tequilensis (MN889418) and Pseudomonas beteli (MN889419) and the strains were further characterized using some advanced techniques (phase contrast microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscope). For maximum biofilm formation by isolated bacterial strains, many physiochemical factors including incubation duration, temperature, pH, carbon source concentration, and nitrogen source concentration were further examined and optimized. The fact that these non-pathogenic strains were found in public water supplies is another important part of this research because there is a chance that they could change into pathogenic state in future and cause disease in humans.

Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopic Study of Biofilms Formed by the Rhizobacterium Azospirillum baldaniorum Sp245: Aspects of Methodology and Matrix Composition

Biofilms represent the main mode of existence of bacteria and play very significant roles in many industrial, medical and agricultural fields. Analysis of biofilms is a challenging task owing to their sophisticated composition, heterogeneity and variability. In this study, biofilms formed by the rhizobacterium Azospirillum baldaniorum (strain Sp245), isolated biofilm matrix and its macrocomponents have for the first time been studied in detail, using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, with a special emphasis on the methodology. The accompanying novel data of comparative chemical analyses of the biofilm matrix, its fractions and lipopolysaccharide isolated from the outer membrane of the cells of this strain, as well as their electrophoretic analyses (SDS-PAGE) have been found to be in good agreement with the FTIR spectroscopic results.

Coupled effect of microbiologically induced calcium carbonate and biofilms in leachate

Fouling and clogging are persistent challenges to the collection and treatment of leachate. The main components of fouling and clogging are calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) and biofilms. However, the relationships between CaCO₃ and biofilms remain to be clarified. In this study, the interaction between microbially induced CaCO₃ precipitation (MICP) and biofilms was investigated using Luria-Bertani (LB) or urea media. Results showed that the bacteria promoted the precipitation of CaCO₃ and the formation of a complex mixture of biofilms. The amount of formed CaCO₃ in the urea medium was 12.9 times of that in the LB medium. The high MICP potential in the urea medium was associated with increased pH and alkalinity. In addition, the clogging materials exhibited a layered structure and uneven distribution over the clogging width and depth profile. These results indicated the presence of nucleation sites of CaCO₃ on the surface of and inside the bacteria. This research provides insights into the regulation of MICP and biofilms through dynamic control of clogging and fouling.

Vibrational spectroscopy for decoding cancer microbiota interactions: Current evidence and future perspective

The role of human microbiota in cancer initiation and progression is recognized in recent years. In order to investigate the interactions between cancer cells and microbes, a systematic analysis using various emerging techniques is required. Owing to the label-free, non-invasive and molecular fingerprinting characteristics, vibrational spectroscopy is uniquely suited to decode and understand the relationship and interactions between cancer and the microbiota at the molecular level. In this review, we first provide a quick overview of the fundamentals of vibrational spectroscopic techniques, namely Raman and infrared spectroscopy. Next, we discuss the emerging evidence underscoring utilities of these spectroscopic techniques to study cancer or microbes separately, and share our perspective on how vibrational spectroscopy can be employed at the intersection of the two fields. Finally, we envision the potential opportunities in exploiting vibrational spectroscopy not only in basic cancer-microbiome research but also in its clinical translation, and discuss the challenges in the bench to bedside translation.

Insights Into the Dynamics and Composition of Biofilm Formed by Environmental Isolate of Enterobacter cloacae

Bacterial biofilms are clinically admissible and illustrate an influential role in infections, particularly those related to the implant of medical devices. The characterization of biofilms is important to understand the etiology of the diseases. Enterobacter cloacae are known for causing infections by forming biofilms on various abiotic surfaces, such as medical devices. However, a detailed characterization in terms of morphology and the molecular composition of the formed biofilms by this bacterium is sparse. The present study provides insights into the biofilm formation of E. cloacae SBP-8, an environmental isolate, on various surfaces. We performed assays to understand the biofilm-forming capability of the SBP-8 strain and characterized the adhering potential of the bacteria on the surface of different medical devices (foley latex catheter, enteral feeding tube, and glass) at different temperatures. We found that medical devices exhibited strong colonization by E. cloacae SBP-8. Using field emission-scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) studies, we characterized the biofilms as a function of time. It indicated stronger biofilm formation in terms of cellular density and EPS production on the surfaces. Further, we characterized the biofilm employing surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and identified the vast heterogenic nature of the biofilm-forming molecules. Interestingly, we also found that this heterogeneity varies from the initial stages of biofilm formation until the maturation and dispersion. Our studies provide insights into biofilm composition over a period of time, which might aid in understanding the biofilm dispersion phases, to enhance the presently available treatment strategies.

In Vitro Fiber-Probe-Based Identification of Pathogens in Biofilms by Raman Spectroscopy

Biofilms are the preferred habitat of microorganisms on living and artificial surfaces. Biofilm-related infections, such as infections of medical implants, are difficult to treat, and due to a reduced cultivability of the included bacteria, difficult to diagnose. Therefore, it is highly important to rapidly identify and investigate biofilms on implant surfaces, e.g., during surgery. In this study, we present fiber-probe-based Raman spectroscopy with an excitation wavelength of 785 nm, which was applied to investigate six different pathogen species involved in biofilm-related infections. Biofilms were cultivated in a drip flow reactor, which can model a biofilm growth environment. The signals collected from a fiber probe allowed us to collect Raman spectra not only from the embedded bacterial and yeast cells but also the surrounding extracellular polymeric substance matrix. This information was used in a classification model. The model consists of a principal component analysis in combination with linear discriminant analysis and was examined by applying a leave-one-batch-out cross-validation. This model achieved a classification accuracy of 93.8%. In addition, the identification accuracy increased up to 97.5% when clinical strains were used for identification. A fiber-probe-based Raman spectroscopy method combined with a chemometric analysis might therefore serve as a fast, accurate, and portable strategy for the species identification of biofilm-related infections, e.g., during surgical procedures.

Nondestructive 3D imaging and quantification of hydrated biofilm matrix by confocal Raman microscopy coupled with non-negative matrix factorization

Biofilms are ubiquitous in natural and engineered environments and of great importance in drinking water distribution and biological wastewater treatment systems. Simultaneously acquiring the chemical and structural information of the hydrated biofilm matrix is essential for the cognition and regulation of biofilms in the environmental field. However, the complexity of samples and the limited approaches prevent a holistic understanding of the biofilm matrix. In this work, an approach based on the confocal Raman mapping technique integrated with non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) analysis was developed to probe the hydrated biofilm matrix in situ. The flexibility of the NMF analysis was utilized to subtract the undesired water background signal and resolve the meaningful biological components from Raman spectra of the hydrated biofilms. Diverse chemical components such as proteins, bacterial cells, glycolipids and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) were unraveled within the distinct Pseudomonas spp. biofilm matrices, and the corresponding 3-dimensional spatial organization was visualized and quantified. Of these components, glycolipids and PHA were unique to the P. aeruginosa and P. putida biofilm matrix, respectively. Furthermore, their high abundances in the lower region of the biofilm matrix were found to be related to the specific physiological functions and surrounding microenvironments. Overall, the results demonstrate that our NMF Raman mapping method could serve as a powerful tool complementary to the conventional approaches for identifying and visualizing the chemical components in the biofilm matrix. This work may facilitate the online characterization of the biofilm matrix widely present in the environment and advance the fundamental understanding of biofilm.

Raman Studies on Surface-Imprinted Polymers to Distinguish the Polymer Surface, Imprints, and Different Bacteria

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are widely used as robust biomimetic recognition layers in sensing devices targeting a wide variety of analytes including microorganisms such as bacteria. Assessment of imprinting success and selectivity toward the target is of great importance in MIP quality control. We generated Escherichia coli-imprinted poly(styrene-co-DVB) as a model system for bacteria-imprinted polymers via surface imprinting using a glass stamp with covalently immobilized E. coli. Confocal Raman Microscopy was successfully employed to visualize bacteria, imprints, and polymer and to distinguish them from each other. The method has proven highly feasible for assessing if imprinting had been successful. In addition, we developed a method for selectivity investigation of bacteria MIPs based on combining Confocal Raman Microscopy and Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA). The Raman spectra of E. coli and Bacillus cereus were acquired on E. coli-imprinted poly(styrene-co-DVB) and used to establish a PLS-DA model for differentiating between the bacteria species. Model validation demonstrated a correct classification of 95% of Raman spectra, indicating sufficient accuracy of the model for future use in MIP selectivity studies. Simultaneous differentiation of 3 bacteria species (E. coli, B. cereus, and Lactococcus lactis) on E. coli-imprinted poly(styrene-co-DVB) proved more difficult, which might be due to the limited depth resolution of the confocal Raman microscope resulting in the presence of interfering signals from the polymer substrate. It might be possible to overcome this obstacle by selective enhancement of the Raman signals originating from bacteria surfaces, such as tip enhanced Raman spectroscopy.

Raman and Scanning Probe Microsocopy for differentiating surface imprints of E.coli and B.cereus

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are artificial recognition materials mimicking biological recognition entities such as antibodies. The general model of imprinting assumes that functional monomers interact with functional groups present on...

Mapping of a Subgingival Dual-Species Biofilm Model Using Confocal Raman Microscopy

Techniques for continuously monitoring the formation of subgingival biofilm, in relation to the determination of species and their accumulation over time in gingivitis and periodontitis, are limited. In recent years, advancements in the field of optical spectroscopic techniques have provided an alternative for analyzing three-dimensional microbiological structures, replacing the traditional destructive or biofilm staining techniques. In this work, we have demonstrated that the use of confocal Raman spectroscopy coupled with multivariate analysis provides an approach to spatially differentiate bacteria in an in vitro model simulating a subgingival dual-species biofilm. The present study establishes a workflow to evaluate and differentiate bacterial species in a dual-species in vitro biofilm model, using confocal Raman microscopy (CRM). Biofilm models of Actinomyces denticolens and Streptococcus oralis were cultured using the “Zürich in vitro model” and were analyzed using CRM. Cluster analysis was used to spatially differentiate and map the biofilm model over a specified area. To confirm the clustering of species in the cultured biofilm, confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) was coupled with fluorescent in vitro hybridization (FISH). Additionally, dense bacteria interface area (DBIA) samples, as an imitation of the clusters in a biofilm, were used to test the developed multivariate differentiation model. This confirmed model was successfully used to differentiate species in a dual-species biofilm and is comparable to morphology. The results show that the developed workflow was able to identify main clusters of bacteria based on spectral “fingerprint region” information from CRM. Using this workflow, we have demonstrated that CRM can spatially analyze two-species in vitro biofilms, therefore providing an alternative technique to map oral multi-species biofilm models.

In Silico Prediction and In Vitro Assessment of Multifunctional Properties of Postbiotics Obtained From Two Probiotic Bacteria

In this study, a global metabolite profile using Raman spectroscopy analysis was obtained in order to predict, by an in silico prediction of activity spectra for substance approach, the bioactivities of the intracellular content (IC) and cell wall (CW) fractions obtained from Lactobacillus casei CRL 431 and Bacillus coagulans GBI-30 strains. Additionally, multifunctional in vitro bioactivity of IC and CW fractions was also assessed. The metabolite profile revealed a variety of compounds (fatty acids, amino acids, coenzyme, protein, amino sugars), with significant probable activities (Pa > 0.7) as immune-stimulant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, antiproliferative, immunomodulator, and antineoplastic, among others. Moreover, in vitro assays exhibited that both IC and CW fractions presented angiotensin-converting enzyme-inhibitory (> 90%), chelating (> 79%), and antioxidant (ca. 22-57 cellular antioxidant activity units) activities. Our findings based on in silico and in vitro analyses suggest that L. casei CRL 431 and B. coagulans GBI-30 strains appear to be promising sources of postbiotics and may impart health benefits by their multifunctional properties.

Application of Raman Spectroscopic Methods in Food Safety: A Review

Food detection technologies play a vital role in ensuring food safety in the supply chains. Conventional food detection methods for biological, chemical, and physical contaminants are labor-intensive, expensive, time-consuming, and often alter the food samples. These limitations drive the need of the food industry for developing more practical food detection tools that can detect contaminants of all three classes. Raman spectroscopy can offer widespread food safety assessment in a non-destructive, ease-to-operate, sensitive, and rapid manner. Recent advances of Raman spectroscopic methods further improve the detection capabilities of food contaminants, which largely boosts its applications in food safety. In this review, we introduce the basic principles of Raman spectroscopy, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), and micro-Raman spectroscopy and imaging; summarize the recent progress to detect biological, chemical, and physical hazards in foods; and discuss the limitations and future perspectives of Raman spectroscopic methods for food safety surveillance. This review is aimed to emphasize potential opportunities for applying Raman spectroscopic methods as a promising technique for food safety detection.

Characterization of the biofilm matrix composition of psychrotrophic, meat spoilage pseudomonads

Psychrotrophic Pseudomonas species are the key spoilage bacteria of aerobically stored chilled meat. These organisms readily form biofilms on meat under refrigerated conditions leading to consumer rejection and associated economic losses. Limited information is available on the matrix composition of the biofilms formed by these bacteria. We quantified and characterized the main components of the matrix of mono-species biofilms of selected Pseudomonas fragi and Pseudomonas lundensis strains using chemical analysis and Raman spectroscopy. The biofilms were grown at 10 °C and 25 °C on nitro-cellulose membranes placed on surface sterilized beef cuts. Extra-cellular polymeric substances of the matrix were extracted in soluble and bound forms and were chemically assessed for total carbohydrates, proteins and extra-cellular DNA. Both Pseudomonas species showed a significant increase in total carbohydrates and total proteins when grown at 10 °C as compared to 25 °C. Extra-cellular DNA did not show a strong correlation with growth temperature. Raman spectra were obtained from planktonic bacteria and membrane grown biofilms at 10 °C and 25 °C. Higher levels of guanine were detected in planktonic cells as compared to biofilm cells. This study suggests that psychrotrophic Pseudomonas species may respond to cold stress by increasing extra-cellular polymer secretions.

Identification of a resonance Raman marker for cytochrome to monitor stress responses in Escherichia coli

Raman spectroscopy and resonance Raman spectroscopy are widely used to study bacteria and their responses to different environmental conditions. In the present study, the identification of a novel resonance Raman peak for Escherichia coli, recorded with 633 nm laser excitation is discussed. A peak at 740 cm^-1 is observed exclusively with 633 nm excitation but not with 514 nm or 785 nm excitation. This peak is absent in the lag phase but appears in the log phase of bacterial growth. The intensity of the peak increases at high temperature (45 °C) compared with growth at low temperature (25 °C) or the physiological temperature (37 °C). Although osmotic stress lowered bacterial growth, the intensity of this peak was unaffected. However, treatment with chemical uncouplers of oxidative phosphorylation resulted in significantly lower intensity of this Raman band, indicating its possible involvement in respiration. Cytochromes, a component of bacterial respiration' can show resonance enhancement at 633 nm due to the presence of a shoulder in that region depending on the type and conformation of cytochrome. Therefore, the peak intensity was monitored in different genetic mutants of E. coli lacking cytochromes. This peak is absent in the Escherichia coli mutant lacking cydB, but not ccmE, demonstrating the contribution of cytochrome bd subunit II in the peak's origin. In future, this newly found cytochrome marker can be used for biochemical assessment of bacteria exposed to various conditions. Overall, this finding opens the scope for use of red laser excitation in resonance Raman in monitoring stress and respiration in bacteria. Graphical abstract.

Understanding the effects of culture conditions in bacterial growth: A biochemical perspective using Raman microscopy

Rapid, sensitive and label-free methods to probe bacterial growth irrespective of the culture conditions can shed light on the mechanisms by which bacteria adapt to different environmental stimuli. Raman spectroscopy can rapidly and continuously monitor the growth of bacteria under varied conditions. In this study, the growth of Escherichia coli in Luria broth (nutrient rich conditions) and minimal media with either glucose or glycerol as carbon source (nutrient limiting conditions) is profiled using Raman spectroscopy. Moreover, the study also gives insights into the altered bacterial biochemistry upon exposure to low- (25°C) and high-temperature (45°C) stress. Raman spectral measurement was performed on bulk bacteria cultured under laboratory conditions. A detailed analysis of the spectra as a function of bacterial growth reveals changes in Raman band intensities/area of biomolecules such as DNA, proteins and lipids. We also report five novel ratiometric markers (I₈₃₀ /I₈₁₀ , I₁₁₂₆ /I₁₁₀₀ , I₁₃₄₀ /I₁₄₄₀ , I₁₂₀₇ /I₁₂₄₀ and I₁₅₈₀ /I₁₄₄₀ ) that can identify the phase of growth, independent of the culture condition. Unsupervised multivariate methods like Principal Component Analysis also corroborate the aforementioned markers of growth. Altogether, our findings highlight the potential of Raman spectroscopy in yielding universal biochemical signatures that may be indicative of stress and aging in a growth milieu.

Characterization of Mixed-Species Biofilm Formed by Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Listeria monocytogenes

Mixed-species biofilms are the predominant form of biofilms found in nature. Research on biofilms have typically concentrated on single species biofilms and this study expands the horizon of biofilm research, where the characterization and dynamic changes of mono and mixed-species biofilms formed by the pathogens, Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Listeria monocytogenes were investigated. Compared to mono-species biofilm, the biomass, bio-volume, and thickness of mixed-species biofilms were significantly lower, which were confirmed using crystal violet staining, confocal laser scanning microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Further experimental analysis showed these variations might result from the reduction of bacterial numbers, the down-regulation of biofilm-regulated genes and loss of metabolic activity in mixed-species biofilm. In addition, V. parahaemolyticus was located primarily on the surface layers of the mixed-species biofilms thus accruing competitive advantage. This competitive advantage was evidenced in a higher V. parahaemolyticus population density in the mixed-species biofilms. The adhesion to surfaces of the mixed-species biofilms were also reduced due to lower concentrations of extracellular polysaccharide and protein when the structure of the mixed-species was examined using Raman spectral analysis, phenol-sulfuric acid method and Lowry method. Furthermore, the minimum biofilm inhibitory concentration to antibiotics obviously decreased when V. parahaemolyticus co-exited with L. monocytogenes. This study firstly elucidated the interactive behavior in biofilm development of two foodborne pathogens, and future studies for biofilm control and antibiotic therapy should take into account interactions in mixed-species biofilms.

Current Status of In Vitro Models and Assays for Susceptibility Testing for Wound Biofilm Infections

Biofilm infections have gained recognition as an important therapeutic challenge in the last several decades due to their relationship with the chronicity of infectious diseases. Studies of novel therapeutic treatments targeting infections require the development and use of models to mimic the formation and characteristics of biofilms within host tissues. Due to the diversity of reported in vitro models and lack of consensus, this review aims to provide a summary of in vitro models currently used in research. In particular, we review the various reported in vitro models of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms due to its high clinical impact in chronic wounds and in other chronic infections. We assess advances in in vitro models that incorporate relevant multispecies biofilms found in infected wounds, such as P. aeruginosa with Staphylococcus aureus, and additional elements such as mammalian cells, simulating fluids, and tissue explants in an attempt to better represent the physiological conditions found at an infection site. It is hoped this review will aid researchers in the field to make appropriate choices in their proposed studies with regards to in vitro models and methods.

Strain-level typing and identification of bacteria - a novel approach for SERS active plasmonic nanostructures

One of the potential applications of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is the detection of biological compounds and microorganisms. Here we demonstrate that SERS coupled with principal component analysis (PCA) serves as a perfect method for determining the taxonomic affiliation of bacteria at the strain level. We demonstrate for the first time that it is possible to distinguish different genoserogroups within a single species, Listeria monocytogenes, which is one of the most virulent foodborne pathogens and in some cases contact with which may be fatal. We also postulate that it is possible to detect additional proteins in the L. monocytogenes cell envelope, which provide resistance to benzalkonium chloride and cadmium. A better understanding of this infectious agent could help in selecting the appropriate pharmaceutical product for enhanced treatment. Graphical abstract ᅟ.

Raman and Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering for Biofilm Characterization

Biofilms are a communal way of living for microorganisms in which microorganism cells are surrounded by extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). Most microorganisms can live in biofilm form. Since microorganisms are everywhere, understanding biofilm structure and composition is crucial for making the world a better place to live, not only for humans but also for other living creatures. Raman spectroscopy is a nondestructive technique and provides fingerprint information about an analyte of interest. Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy is a form of this technique and provides enhanced scattering of the analyte that is in close vicinity of a nanostructured noble metal surface such as silver or gold. In this review, the applications of both techniques and their combination with other biofilm analysis techniques for characterization of composition and structure of biofilms are discussed.

Optical Sensing of Microbial Life on Surfaces

The label-free detection of microbial cells attached to a surface is an active field of research. The field is driven by the need to understand and control the growth of biofilms in a number of applications, including basic research in natural environments, industrial facilities, and clinical devices, to name a few. Despite significant progress in the ability to monitor the growth of biofilms and related living cells, the sensitivity and selectivity of such sensors are still a challenge. We believe that among the many different technologies available for monitoring biofilm growth, optical techniques are the most promising, as they afford direct imaging and offer high sensitivity and specificity. Furthermore, as each technique offers different insights into the biofilm growth mechanism, our analysis allows us to provide an overview of the biological processes at play. In addition, we use a set of key parameters to compare state-of-the-art techniques in the field, including a critical assessment of each method, to identify the most promising types of sensors. We highlight the challenges that need to be overcome to improve the characteristics of current biofilm sensor technologies and indicate where further developments are required. In addition, we provide guidelines for selecting a suitable sensor for detecting microbial cells on a surface.

Raman spectroscopy towards clinical application: drug monitoring and pathogen identification

Raman spectroscopy is a label-free method that measures quickly and contactlessly, providing detailed information from the sample, and has proved to be an ideal tool for medical and life science research. In this review, recent advances of the technique towards drug monitoring and pathogen identification by the Jena Research Groups are reviewed. Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and ultraviolet resonance Raman spectroscopy in hollow-core optical fibres enable the detection of drugs at low concentrations as shown for the metabolites of the immunosuppressive drug 6-mercaptopurine as well as antimalarial agents. Furthermore, Raman spectroscopy can be used to characterise pathogenic bacteria in infectious diseases directly from body fluids, making time-consuming cultivation processes dispensable. Using the example of urinary tract infection, it is shown how bacteria can be identified from patients' urine samples within <1 h. The methods cover both single-cell analysis and dielectrophoretic capturing of bacteria in suspension. The latter method could also be used for fast (<3.5 h) identification of antibiotic resistance as shown exemplarily for vancomycin-resistant enterococci.