Protocol for simulated natural biofilm formation
AssigneeS.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
InventorsShannon L. Bakich, Mark M. Gipp
Life of this patent
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Abstract
This invention provides a methodology for controlled biofilm formation in accordance with a monitored protocol. In a typical embodiment, a natural biofilm inoculum is used to form a simulated natural biofilm on retrievable slides in an annular reactor. The monitored protocol in the annular reactor subjects the bacterial consortia of the simulated natural biofilm to simulated environmental conditions. The invention simulated natural biofilm on a slide surface has utility for the testing of formulated product activity for inhibition or removal of the simulated natural biofilm, thereby providing a reliable indicator of the relative activity of the products under natural environmental conditions.
Claims20
A method for controlling biofilm formation in accordance with a monitored protocol which comprises (1) arranging at least one removable slide within the internal reservoir of a reactor;
- (2) introducing a bacterial inoculum an aqueous nutrient medium into the reservoir;
- (3) providing the aqueous suspension medium with agitation for an incubation period sufficient to initiate bacterial attachment to the slide surface;
- (4) draining the suspension medium from the reservoir;
- (5) recharging the reservoir with aqueous nutrient medium to maintain bacterial growth for an elapsed time period sufficient to establish a biofilm of prescribed thickness on the slide surface;
- (6) retrieving the slide from the reservoir, and optionally determining the population of bacterial Colony Forming Units per square centimeter of the biofilm on the slide surface;
- (7) placing the slide at a location designed to mimic a natural site of biofilm formation and (8) examining the effect of test biocide or cleaning formulations on the biofilm.
A method for controlling biofilm formation in accordance with a monitored protocol which comprises (1) arranging removable slides within the internal reservoir of a reactor;
- (2) introducing a bacterial inoculum and aqueous nutrient medium into the reservoir;
- (3) providing the aqueous suspension medium with agitation for an incubation period sufficient to initiate bacterial attachment to the slide surface;
- (4) draining the suspension medium from the reservoir;
- (5) recharging the reservoir with aqueous nutrient medium at least once every 24 hours of elapsed time period;
- (6) repeating the step (5) regimen for an extended period sufficient to establish a biofilm of prescribed thickness on the slide surfaces;
- (7) retrieving the slides from the reservoir, and optionally determining the population of bacterial Colony Forming Units per square centimeter of the biofilm on the slide surfaces;
- (8) placing the slide at a location designed to mimic natural site of biofilm formation and (9) examining the effect of test biocide or cleaning formulations on the biofilm.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.