ABSTRACT
Bacteria have many useful properties that may be harnessed to industrial processes. Contamination of industrial waters often introduces microorganisms into environments that can provide growth nutrients to sustain their development. In industrial waters, microorganisms exist within mixed, interacting communities. Many of the problems associated with growth of microorganisms on pipelines and other metal surfaces are caused by interacting communities of bacteria. Historically, the testing and screening of antimicrobial agents has been undertaken using pure cultures of vegetative, planktonic bacteria which have been grown in nutritionally rich media. The Robbins device was modified in order to facilitate its routine use for the laboratory testing of biocides and antibiotics. Tubular biofilm sampling devices of a similar design have been used by other researchers to monitor biofilm formation and biocide activity. It is important that biocides and antimicrobial agents be properly assessed for their effectiveness before application in industrial or medical situations.
