Microorganisms are used in wastewater treatment to decompose organic matter. In some processes bacteria adhere to surfaces forming an extracellular matrix called biofilm. This project investigated biofilm development on rotating discs placed in a bioreactor. The biofilm was visualized by microscopy and evaluated by daily bioreactor monitoring. Three runs were completed using various reactor feeds and disc materials to study the effects on biofilm development. A fluorescence staining protocol using a lectin probe was developed to characterize the extracellular matrix.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Laszczak, Magdalene
• Cormier, Jacqueline Marie

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• 06D402M

Advisor

• Hobey, William D.
• Kazantzis, Nikolaos K.
• Camesano, Terri Anne

Year

• 2006

Date created

• 2006-01-01

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Biochemistry
• Chemical Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright