Application of Laser-Induced Fluorescence in Functional Studies of Photosynthetic Biofilms
Biofilms are a ubiquitous form of life for microorganisms. Photosynthetic biofilms such as microphytobenthos (MPB) and biological soil crusts (BSC) play a relevant ecological role in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, respectively. On the other hand, photosynthetic epilithic biofilms (PEB) are majo...
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doaj-97f89426f8664e3cac4643c13d042e6d2020-11-24T22:11:21ZengMDPI AGProcesses2227-97172018-11-0161122710.3390/pr6110227pr6110227Application of Laser-Induced Fluorescence in Functional Studies of Photosynthetic BiofilmsJorge Marques da Silva0Andrei Borissovitch Utkin1Department of Plant Biology and Biosystems and Integrative Sciences Institute (BioISI), Faculty of Sciences, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisbon, PortugalINOV INESC Inovação, Rua Alves Redol 9, 1000-029 Lisbon, PortugalBiofilms are a ubiquitous form of life for microorganisms. Photosynthetic biofilms such as microphytobenthos (MPB) and biological soil crusts (BSC) play a relevant ecological role in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, respectively. On the other hand, photosynthetic epilithic biofilms (PEB) are major players in the microbial-induced decay of stone structures of cultural heritage. The use of fluorescence techniques, namely, pulse-amplitude-modulated fluorometry, was crucial to understanding the photophysiology of these microbial communities, since they made it possible to measure biofilms’ photosynthetic activity without disturbing their delicate spatial organization within sediments or soils. The use of laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) added further technical advantages, enabling measurements to be made at a considerable distance from the samples, and under daylight. In this <i>Perspective</i>, we present state-of-the-art LIF techniques, show examples of the application of LIF to MPB and present exploratory results of LIF application to BSC, as well as to PEB colonizing stone structures of cultural heritage. Thereafter, we discuss the perspectives of LIF utilization in environmental research and monitoring, in cultural heritage conservation and assessment, and in biotechnological applications of photosynthetic biofilms.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9717/6/11/227fluorescencespectroscopylaserbiofilmphotosynthesis |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Jorge Marques da Silva Andrei Borissovitch Utkin |
spellingShingle |
Jorge Marques da Silva Andrei Borissovitch Utkin Application of Laser-Induced Fluorescence in Functional Studies of Photosynthetic Biofilms Processes fluorescence spectroscopy laser biofilm photosynthesis |
author_facet |
Jorge Marques da Silva Andrei Borissovitch Utkin |
author_sort |
Jorge Marques da Silva |
title |
Application of Laser-Induced Fluorescence in Functional Studies of Photosynthetic Biofilms |
title_short |
Application of Laser-Induced Fluorescence in Functional Studies of Photosynthetic Biofilms |
title_full |
Application of Laser-Induced Fluorescence in Functional Studies of Photosynthetic Biofilms |
title_fullStr |
Application of Laser-Induced Fluorescence in Functional Studies of Photosynthetic Biofilms |
title_full_unstemmed |
Application of Laser-Induced Fluorescence in Functional Studies of Photosynthetic Biofilms |
title_sort |
application of laser-induced fluorescence in functional studies of photosynthetic biofilms |
publisher |
MDPI AG |
series |
Processes |
issn |
2227-9717 |
publishDate |
2018-11-01 |
description |
Biofilms are a ubiquitous form of life for microorganisms. Photosynthetic biofilms such as microphytobenthos (MPB) and biological soil crusts (BSC) play a relevant ecological role in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, respectively. On the other hand, photosynthetic epilithic biofilms (PEB) are major players in the microbial-induced decay of stone structures of cultural heritage. The use of fluorescence techniques, namely, pulse-amplitude-modulated fluorometry, was crucial to understanding the photophysiology of these microbial communities, since they made it possible to measure biofilms’ photosynthetic activity without disturbing their delicate spatial organization within sediments or soils. The use of laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) added further technical advantages, enabling measurements to be made at a considerable distance from the samples, and under daylight. In this <i>Perspective</i>, we present state-of-the-art LIF techniques, show examples of the application of LIF to MPB and present exploratory results of LIF application to BSC, as well as to PEB colonizing stone structures of cultural heritage. Thereafter, we discuss the perspectives of LIF utilization in environmental research and monitoring, in cultural heritage conservation and assessment, and in biotechnological applications of photosynthetic biofilms. |
topic |
fluorescence spectroscopy laser biofilm photosynthesis |
url |
https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9717/6/11/227 |
work_keys_str_mv |
AT jorgemarquesdasilva applicationoflaserinducedfluorescenceinfunctionalstudiesofphotosyntheticbiofilms AT andreiborissovitchutkin applicationoflaserinducedfluorescenceinfunctionalstudiesofphotosyntheticbiofilms |
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