Interactions at Interface between Nanomaterial’s and Biofilm: A General Survey

Abstract

A biofilm is a consortium that exhibits three dimensions, syntrophic, and physiologically active-matrix. It displays a successful critical interdependency amongst producers and consumers. This association promotes microbial adherence, growth, antimicrobial resistance, and a high degree of persistence. The microbial cells are residing in the slimy extracellular medium consisting of polymeric polysaccharides, proteins, and lipids. The resident microbes adhere, float, or swim in the biofilm. This matrix can develop on non-living and living, including natural, industrial, or biomedical devices. The parameters such as cellular recognition, suitable attachment sites, nutritional signals, nature of earlier colonizers, etc., play a significant role in the formation of biofilm. This matrix is the most appropriate location to sustain a colony of microbes. Changes occurring in the ambient environment of biofilm enhance its development. The chemotherapeutic drugs or any other agents, like nanomaterials, have to overcome all these structural and functional aspects of biofilm to secure or cause the damage, as per the target. Commonly, a biofilm develops in an oral cavity, pulmonary system, in the form of cystic fibrosis, etc. Biofilms are also effective in causing pathogenesis in economically important plants and play an important significant role in geochemical cycles. The vast impacts of biofilms on plants are known phenomena but the concerning mechanism is still obscure. This review is an effort to understand the informative lacunae existing between interactions of nanomaterials and the biofilm.