Biofilms as a Presumed Basic Form of Microorganisms Existence: Modern Concepts

The review analyzes current information on the processes of formation of microbial biofilms, both fixed on biotic and abiotic surfaces, and arising as a result of autoaggregation and coaggregation in the thickness of the liquid. The physicochemical phenomena occurring during recognition of the phase boundary surface by microorganism cells are described in detail. The components of the extracellular polymer matrix of biofilms, the regulation of their formation, the structural significance for the architecture of biofilms and the protective role when exposed to biocides (including antibiotics) and other adverse environmental factors are described in detail. Approaches to managing the formation of microbial biofilms are considered. A new scheme for the formation of microbial biofilms proposed in the literature, including three stages instead of five, is analyzed.