Monitoring bacterial bioplastic-degradation by microscopic imaging and electrochemical sensing

The bacterial biofilm development using 1,4-butanediol, a typical monomeric building block of new generation bio-plastics, as carbon source is presented. On the one hand, the ability of a motile bacterial strain, isolated from Drosophila gut, is studied for the chemotactical attraction by 1,4-butanediol. The bacterial biofilm formation is studied in view of the possibility that 1,4-butanediol is used as the main carbon source for bacterial cell growth. Different biocompatible and biobased carriers are tested to immobilize the bacterial cells and to enhance the formation of a homogenous and structured biofilm as documented by optical and holo-tomographic images. On the other hand, electrochemical sensing of 1,4-butanediol is investigated, in particular inkjet-printed gold electrodes in comparison to commercial screen-printed gold electrodes. These electrochemical sensors, fabricated with controllable Au loadings and flexible pattern designs in a simple, rapid and sustainable way, are foreseen to be potentially used in the future for the online monitoring of the progress of plastic biodegradation by following the concentration development of 1,4-butanediol.