A Bibliographic Exploration of Bacterial Houses: Biofilm Matrix Research and Future Frontiers

Abstract

This paper explores the intriguing parallels between bacterial behavior and human actions, specifically the tendency of bacteria to adhere to surfaces, construct bacterial “houses” known as a biofilm matrix, nurture growth and reproduction within the biofilm matrix, and disperse upon maturity. Termed as the bacterial “houses”, biofilm matrices exert significant influence on various aspects of human life. A well-structured biofilm matrix serves as the foundation for establishing biofilm reactors capable of efficiently removing heavy metal pollutants from water. Conversely, a dysfunctional biofilm matrix can lead to infections and subsequent illnesses in the human body. Therefore, the study of the biofilm matrix emerges as pivotal. Employing a bibliographic study methodology, this paper analyzes 1000 web of science articles in the field, investigating key keywords, influential countries/regions, organizations, and their interconnections. The findings illuminate the primary themes in biofilm matrix research and offer insights into future directions for this critical field of study.

Keywords

• biofilm matrix
• bacterial behavior
• environmental sustainability
• bibliographic study
• extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs)