INFLUENCE OF THE GEOMETRY AND NATURE OF SUBSTRATE IN BIOFILM FORMING THERMOTOGA NEAPOLITANA CULTURES

The capability of hyperthermophilic and strict anaerobic Thermotoga neapolitana to adhere on different materials was investigated in this work. Different geometries of conductive and not conductive substrates are tested, including: porous alluminosilicate (unconductive), carbon cloth (conductive) carbon felt (conductive) and other substrates. The materials were tested in bioreactors of 250 mL, operated for 14 days at temperature of 80°C with a culture media of T. neapolitana containing 5 g/L glucose. A specimen of the tested substrates were immersed on the bottom of the bioreactors, one in each bioreactors. The results demonstrated the T. neapolitana aptitude to attach on conductive graphite as well as on porous alluminosilicate. Time differences in the biofilm evolution were detected, main depending of the material.