In situ Biofilm Quantification in Bioelectrochemical Systems by using Optical Coherence Tomography. Issue 13 (7th June 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Molenaar, Sam D.; Sleutels, Tom; Pereira, Joao; Iorio, Matteo; Borsje, Casper; Zamudio, Julian A.; Fabregat‐Santiago, Francisco; Buisman, Cees J. N.; ter Heijne, Annemiek
• Is Part Of: ChemSusChem. Volume 11:Issue 13(2018)
• Page Start: 2171
• Page End: 2178
• Publication Date: 2018-06-07
• Subjects: 3D imaging -- bioelectrochemical systems -- biofilms -- microbial growth -- tomography; Green chemistry -- Periodicals; Sustainable engineering -- Periodicals; Chemistry -- Periodicals; Chemical engineering -- Periodicals; 660
• DOI: 10.1002/cssc.201800589
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1864-5631

Abstract

Abstract: Detailed studies of microbial growth in bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) are required for their suitable design and operation. Here, we report the use of optical coherence tomography (OCT) as a tool for in situ and noninvasive quantification of biofilm growth on electrodes (bioanodes). An experimental platform is designed and described in which transparent electrodes are used to allow real‐time, 3D biofilm imaging. The accuracy and precision of the developed method is assessed by relating the OCT results to well‐established standards for biofilm quantification (chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total N content) and show high correspondence to these standards. Biofilm thickness observed by OCT ranged between 3 and 90 μm for experimental durations ranging from 1 to 24 days. This translated to growth yields between 38 and 42 mg COD biomass g COD acetate −1 at an anode potential of −0.35 V versus Ag/AgCl. Time‐lapse observations of an experimental run performed in duplicate show high reproducibility in obtained microbial growth yield by the developed method. As such, we identify OCT as a powerful tool for conducting in‐depth characterizations of microbial growth dynamics in BESs. Additionally, the presented platform allows concomitant application of this method with various optical and electrochemical techniques. Abstract : Films in 3D : Detailed study of microbial growth in bioelectrochemical systems is required for their proper design and operation. The use of optical coherence tomography as a tool for in situ and noninvasive quantification of biofilm growth on electrodes (bioanodes) is thus reported. The experimental setup uses transparent electrodes to allow real‐time, three‐dimensional biofilm imaging.