Electro-interactions: A review of the effects of electric fields on bacterial cells
Panagiota Dima, Ioannis S. Chronakis, Ana C. Mendes
Abstract
Electric fields significantly influence bacterial cells by altering their physiology, membrane properties, membrane potential, and permeability, as well as their metabolism and mobility. These interactions result in observable changes in growth rates, cellular morphology, and gene expression. This review provides a comprehensive examination of the effects of electric fields on bacterial cells, focusing specifically on mechanisms such as electro-stimulation, electroporation, electrophoresis, and dielectrophoresis. Examples of such effects include increasing bacterial proliferation rates, enhancing the production of valuable compounds, and influencing cell movement, orientation, and aggregation. The review highlights how these mechanisms can be employed to customize bacterial properties for targeted outcomes. Applications across various sectors are also discussed, such as using electric fields to improve fermentation efficiency in the food and biotechnology industry, to extend cell stability and viability, and to precisely control cell adhesion or detachment from surfaces, benefiting both biotechnology and pharmaceutical fields. Furthermore, this review paper emphasizes the importance of ongoing research to fully unlock the potential of electric fields in both scientific research and industrial applications involving bacteria.