Ecology of Biofilms in Human Body and Other Living as Well as Non-living Substances

Biofilms are nano ecosystems of several microbes lived in a close association to each other coated by slimy secretions of their bodies. Biofilms consist of several microorganisms those form a microbiotic community. The organisms (mainly bacteria) of different species form a mutual relationship with each other and are glued with the surface of the different parts of organisms' body including man, and different non-living substances of the world by a sticky secretion (Polysaccharides) of their bodies. The microbes have several strong adaptative features that provide them ample strength to struggle for their existence. Biofilms carry different pathogenic organisms those cause fatal infections in the human bodies and sometimes they are life threatened.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF BIOFILMS

In 1994, near one hundred asthmatic people were died due to fatal infection caused by biofilms into their Lung tissues. They used the inhaler where biofilms were grown. Those biofilms had entered into their Lungs by respiratory tract and caused infection inside their Lungs. This phenomenon generated the idea about biofilms and immensely helped to introduce the ecology of biofilms as an important chapter of Microbiological science.

BIOFILMS IN THE ANIMAL BODY INCLUDING MAN

In the animal body biofilms are produced on the surface of Teeth, Intestines, Lungs, Liver and Kidneys etc. In those places biofilms form a layer of tiny bacteria and other larger organisms. In teeth the hard enamel provides a good environment for microorganisms. The food particles remaining at the buccal cavity get mixed with saliva provides a good ecosystem for the growing of different bacteria. Bacteria colony form slimy layers of biofilm also on different tracts of respiratory system, alimentary system, excretory system, reproductive system etc. Body surface of the domestic pets also provides good ecological factors for growing biofilms.

BIOFILMS IN THE NON-LIVING SUBSTANCES

Besides animal bodies biofilms are also formed in different medical instruments, glaciers, hot springs, contact lenses, nail polish bottles, eye/eardrop solutions, make up brushes, wood surfaces, plastic materials, excretory substances, toilet materials, water pipes, walls of houses, kitchen utensils, computer keyboards, flower Vass, shoes, etc.

THE PROCESS OF FORMATION OF BIOFILMS

Biofilms are formed by complex interactions among several species of microorganisms, stacked with each other on the fertile surface. Once the biofilm is formed, it provides a good protective shelter for microbes. The protection of microbes is done against other foreign bodies, antibiotics, germicides, body immunity system. The different abiotic factors required for the formation of a biofilm ecosystem are,

Moist surface,

Nutrient rich area,

Plenty air supply, etc.

BIOFILMS IN THE MODERN SCIENCE

Biofilms are now considering as a crucial matter in Microbiology and Biotechnology. In few cases biofilms have been proved as a significant part of a detrivorous food chain. Some biofims reside inside of our digestive tract and helps to produce vitamin B₁₂ in body and helps our nutrition mechanism in different aspects. Purification of water can be also done by the help of biofilms. Some important researches in the field of biotechnology are based on the contributions of biofilms. We have to study all features of biofilms, their interactions and ecological niches to perform more attractive research works on the ecology of biofilms.