Extracellular Membrane Structures: A Component of the Epilithic Biofilm on the Kupferschiefer Black Shale

ABSTRACT

The presented study focuses on the characterization of extracellular membrane structures (EMSs) detected in the biofilm of an indigenous bacterial consortium growing on the surface of the Kupferschiefer black shale under model laboratory conditions. Received results showed that several types of extracellular structures, including multilayer vesicle-like structures observed for the first time, are a significant component of mixed-species bacterial biofilm. Based on the protein profile, the potential structure and functions of the EMSs were discussed. The findings of this study expand the current knowledge about biofilms formed by bacterial consortia on the surface of sedimentary rocks and show the diversity of EMSs produced by environmental microorganisms.

KEYWORDS:

• Biofilm
• membrane vesicles
• sedimentary rock