Development of an observation platform for bacterial activity using polypyrrole films doped with bacteria.

In our study, various bacteria, including Gram-negative (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Acinetobacter calcoaceticus, Serratia marcescens, Shewanella oneidensis) and Gram-positive (Bacillus subtilis) bacteria, were straightforwardly immobilized into the conducting polymers (CPs) by electrochemical deposition. The doping state of bacteria in the polymer films (polypyrrole and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)) varied according to the polymerization conditions. The viability of bacteria in the polymers and of those adsorbed on various substrates was evaluated. The activity of bacteria doped on the polymer film was evaluated by cyclic voltammetry in a thin-layer cell.