Monitoring biofilm formation by using cyclic voltammetry: effect of the experimental conditions on biofilm removal and activity

Abstract

The effect of experimental conditions on cyclic voltammetry experiments on platinum electrodes covered with biofilms formed by Pseudomonas fluorescens for 2 hours was investigated. Results show that recycling the potential stabilizes the shape of the cyclic voltammogram after 135 cycles, but the observation of the electrodes by epifluorescence microscopy showed that cells are still adhered to the platinum surface. Some experimental conditions were changed during the electrochemical measurements – sweep rate, pH of the buffer and applied potential range. Some of these parameters had a strong impact on the bacteria that are adhered to the surface, increasing the death and removal in some circumstances.