Express Method for Determining the Relation between Polyethylene Biocorrosion by Chromobacterium violaceum Biofilms and Their Ability to Form Extracellular Matrix

An express method for measuring biocorrosion of the surface of polyethylene by mono- and multi-species microbial biofilms was developed. The method involves massive inoculation of polyethylene samples with pure microbial cultures or their mixtures, with subsequent incubation for 5‒7 days providing for the biofilm development. The damage to the surface of polyethylene was determined both by the optical method described in this paper and based on measuring the intensity of scattered light and by the standard method using a profilometer. Both methods revealed a direct correlation of the results and may be recommended for practical measurement of the initial stages of biocorrosion of the polyethylene surface. The biocorrosion level was found to depend primarily upon the number of viable microbial cells in the biofilm, rather than upon accumulation of the extracellular polymer matrix.