Surface characteristics and adhesion of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus epidermidis.
Surface hydrophobicity, surface electrokinetic potential and the ability to adhere to nitric-acid cleansed glass surfaces has been assessed throughout the growth, in batch culture, of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus epidermidis. In both instances adhesiveness and surface hydrophobicity decreased in early- to mid-exponential phase. Cell surface charge, on the other hand became more electro-negative for E. coli but electro-neutral for Staph. epidermidis as the cells proceeded to divide. Adhesiveness correlated directly with surface electronegativity and hydrophobicity for Staph. epidermidis but inversely with surface electro-negativity for E. coli.
Department of Pharmacy, University of Manchester, UK.
P
P
Gilbert
D J
DJ
Evans
E
E
Evans
I G
IG
Duguid
M R
MR
Brown
D001422:Bacterial Adhesion; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010861:Fimbriae, Bacterial / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005898:Glass; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D013212:Staphylococcus epidermidis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013499:Surface Properties