
Environmental Microbiology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 27(5)
Published: May 1, 2025
ABSTRACT Marine plastic debris provides stable surfaces for microbial colonisation, forming a unique ecosystem known as the plastisphere. Among early colonisers are Alcanivorax bacteria, hydrocarbon degraders commonly found in oil‐polluted seawater and on marine surfaces. This study examined factors influencing adhesion colonisation dynamics of six species. Flagellated species— A. balearicus , dieselolei xenomutans —rapidly colonised plastics, particularly polyethylene polypropylene, while non‐flagellated species did not. Notably, photo‐weathering treatments led to elongation cells, secretion extracellular polymeric substance some cases, increased UVB‐treated terephthalate. These changes may be linked reduced surface hydrophobicity recorded following photo‐weathering. To confirm role flagella adhesion, we disrupted flagellar activity using sub‐concentrations polymyxin B sulfate, resulting inhibition swarming motility complete disruption colonisation. results contribute our understanding interactions between hydrocarbon‐degrading bacteria their substrate, which turn contributes ecological impact pollution environments.
Language: Английский