Quantitative study on the effect of calcium and magnesium palmitate on the formation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm

Calcium palmitate and magnesium palmitate (which are major constituents of waste water) are insoluble precipitates that accumulate in bodies of water. This leads to the formation of biofilms because bacterial cells can use these fatty acid salts as a carbon source. It is important to study the formation of biofilms because they cause corrosion of pipelines and water contamination. In this study, the effect of calcium palmitate and magnesium palmitate on Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm formation has been evaluated. In the presence of calcium palmitate, the biofilm biomass, extracellular polysaccharide, and adhesion force were 3.45 ± 0.06 (A590), 1810 ± 47 μg, and 14.5 ± 0.9 nN, respectively. In the presence of magnesium palmitate, the biofilm biomass, extracellular polysaccharide, and adhesion force were 2.72 ± 0.03 (A590), 1370 ± 56 μg, and 8.0 ± 0.2 nN, respectively. The results suggest that biofilm biomass, extracellular polysaccharide, and adhesion force were higher in the presence of calcium palmitate.