Journal of Undergraduate Research
Keywords
electrical current, bacterial killing, Streptococcus gordonii
College
Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering and Technology
Department
Chemical Engineering
Abstract
Previously it has been shown that antibiotic killing of bacteria, especially biofilms, can be enhanced by various non-invasive treatments. Low-level electric current has been shown to increase killing of Streptococcus gordonii biofilms when applied during treatment with gentamicin.1 Others have partially tested the feasibility of electrically killing bacteria on prosthetic joints.2 Ultrasonic exposure has also been shown to increase killing of bacterial biofilms.3 Our group previously observed that ultrasound increased the transport of gentamicin through biofilms.4 Electrical treatment of S. gordonii in the absence of gentamicin also generates a 1.9 log reduction in biofilm cell counts.1 Our previous findings showed bacteria diluted in different solutions showed different levels of killing. My goal was to characterize and explain this electrical killing.
Recommended Citation
Turner, Taylor and Pitt, Dr. William
(2013)
"Analysis of Electrical Current As an Agent for Bacterial Killing,"
Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2013:
Iss.
1, Article 1749.
Available at:
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2013/iss1/1749