TY - JOUR
T1 - Microbial colonization of polymeric materials for space applications and mechanisms of biodeterioration
T2 - A review
AU - Gu, Ji Dong
N1 - Funding Information:
Preparation of this manuscript was supported in part by research grants of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the University of Hong Kong.
PY - 2007
Y1 - 2007
N2 - Biodeterioration of polymeric materials affects a wide range of industries. Formation of microbial biofilms on surfaces of materials being considered for use on the International Space Station was investigated. The materials included fiber-reinforced polymeric composites, adhesive sealant, polyimide insulation foam, Teflon cable insulation, and aliphatic polyurethane coatings. In simulation experiments, bacterial biofilms formed readily on the surfaces of the materials at a wide range of temperatures and relative humidity. The biofilm population was dominated by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Ochrobactrum anthropi, Alcaligenes denitrificans, Xanthomonas maltophila, and Vibrio harveyi. Subsequently, degradation of polymeric materials was mostly a result of both fungal and bacterial colonization in sequence, and fungi may have advantages in the early phase of surface colonization over bacteria, especially on relatively resistant polymeric materials. These microorganisms are commonly detected on spacecraft on hardware and in the air. Furthermore, degradation of polymeric materials was documented with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The mechanisms of deterioration of polymeric materials were due to the availability of carbon source from the polymer, such as additives, plasticizers, and other impurities, in addition to the polymeric matrices. Microbial degradation of plasticizer phthalate esters is discussed for the microorganisms involved and the biochemical pathways of degradation. Current results suggest that candidate materials for use in space missions need to be carefully evaluated for their susceptibility to microbial biofilm formation and biodegradation.
AB - Biodeterioration of polymeric materials affects a wide range of industries. Formation of microbial biofilms on surfaces of materials being considered for use on the International Space Station was investigated. The materials included fiber-reinforced polymeric composites, adhesive sealant, polyimide insulation foam, Teflon cable insulation, and aliphatic polyurethane coatings. In simulation experiments, bacterial biofilms formed readily on the surfaces of the materials at a wide range of temperatures and relative humidity. The biofilm population was dominated by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Ochrobactrum anthropi, Alcaligenes denitrificans, Xanthomonas maltophila, and Vibrio harveyi. Subsequently, degradation of polymeric materials was mostly a result of both fungal and bacterial colonization in sequence, and fungi may have advantages in the early phase of surface colonization over bacteria, especially on relatively resistant polymeric materials. These microorganisms are commonly detected on spacecraft on hardware and in the air. Furthermore, degradation of polymeric materials was documented with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The mechanisms of deterioration of polymeric materials were due to the availability of carbon source from the polymer, such as additives, plasticizers, and other impurities, in addition to the polymeric matrices. Microbial degradation of plasticizer phthalate esters is discussed for the microorganisms involved and the biochemical pathways of degradation. Current results suggest that candidate materials for use in space missions need to be carefully evaluated for their susceptibility to microbial biofilm formation and biodegradation.
KW - Biofilms
KW - Degradation
KW - Plasmids
KW - Polymeric materials
KW - Resistance
KW - Space station
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=33947497024&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.ibiod.2006.08.010
DO - 10.1016/j.ibiod.2006.08.010
M3 - 文章
AN - SCOPUS:33947497024
SN - 0964-8305
VL - 59
SP - 170
EP - 179
JO - International Biodeterioration and Biodegradation
JF - International Biodeterioration and Biodegradation
IS - 3 SPEC. ISS.
ER -