The use of the Rotoscope as an online, real-time, non-destructive biofilm monitor

Abstract

Biofilms are involved in all kinds of biofouling and cause a significant economic loss of billions of dollars annually, worldwide. In order to effectively control the growth of biofilms, it is necessary to investigate the structure of biofilms grown under different conditions. Several methods are available to monitor biofilm progression, but their applications are limited by low intensity, high labour intensity, intrusive sampling, and long time lags from sampling to results. The goal of this research was to monitor biofilm growth using a biological rotating contact disc, based on the total plate count, scanning electron microscopy and the light reflection. Light reflected changed with biofilm thickness and the thicker the biofilm, the less light was reflected. Addition of NaCl anolyte caused some detachment of the microbial cells as was indicated by a slight increase in light reflection. This was supported by SEM micrographs.