Early detection of biofilm formation in paper mills

Up to now, biofilm formation in paper mills could only be treated reactively and semi-preventively. Due to the almost complete absence of specific microbiological early warning systems detection during the formation process was nearly impossible so far. In line with the EU-research project AquaFit4Use first results in early detection of biofilms were obtained which can be used in practice.

The EU-funded research project AquaFit4Use – for the sustainable use of ready to use water in chemistry-, paper-, food- and textile industry – deals with the question how water can be used more demand-oriented and sustainable in industrial processes. As part of a network of 40, partly top-class companies, vermicon AG – as the only specialist for microbiology – analyses with its innovative technologies the microorganisms directly in the process streams.

The hunt for the biofilm forming bacteria

During the analysis of water and biofilms of paper mills, vermicon AG first revealed with general gene probes consistently the same groups of bacteria which first occurred in the system after a production stop and cleaning. Following , these bacteria represent the first layer of biofilms to which other bacteria attach and biofilm growth increase. Technologically this is interesting ias for a sustainable control of biofilm formation just these first organisms should be the main point of action. Without this bacterial fundament the following bacteria can not adsorb and the formation of biofilm is interfered.

After all, the molecular analysis of these first bacteria groups yielded to a break-through and the organisms could be identified. Surprisingly, these bacteria were not not common indicator organisms, but 2 bacteria genera, namely Tepidimonas and Cloacibacterium. However, these bacteria only matter in paper mills with alkaline to neutral pH-value of the production process. In acidic production environments other bacteria are responsible for early biofilm formation.

Tepidimonas and Cloacibacterium nearly can not be analysed with normal cultivation on enrichment media but only with molecular methods like the gene probe technology. In line with the research project, vermicon AG developed specific gene probes which monitor very easily and rapidly the growth of these bacteria.

Now, the transfer of the gene probes into easy-to-use rapid test kits enables the contiuous monitoring of the bacteria which are responsible for early biofilm formation in water circles and process samples of paper mills with alkaline to neutral process conditions. The efficiency of measures for the combat of biofilms can be controlled and the production process can be optimized correspondingly.

The detection system VIT-Tepidimonas is available soon. Soon also the detection of Tepidimonas and Cloacibacterium in samples from paper mills can be ordered as service.