The Biochemistry and Physiology of Bacterial Adhesion to Surfaces
Abstract
The physiologic mechanisms involved in bacterial adhesion to inert surfaces have been investigated employing fouling isolates obtained from the Chesapeake Bay. Specifically, we have (1) compared the physiologic activity of attached and free-living bacteria (2) studied the effect of metabolic inhibitors on attachment to determine what physiologic processes were involved in adhesion (3) investigated the type of material employed as the adhesive substance. We have developed two unique microfouling assays that employ the DNA-specific fluorochromes Hoechst 33528 and 33342. These two assays permit the sensitive and specific enumeration of attached populations of bacteria, and were used in the experiments described below. Actively growing cells from log-phase cultures of Vibrio proteolytica adhered in greater numbers than late stationary phase or mercuric chloride-killed cells. Cells that were starved by resuspension in nutrient-free medium became progressively less adhesive.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 20, 1984
- Accession Number
- ADA138271
Entities
People
- George I. Loeb
- John H. Paul
- Joseph Miller
Organizations
- University of South Florida St. Petersburg