[A semi-quantitative measurement of glycocalyx and an ATP bioluminescent assay for the analysis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm].
BACKGROUND
In order to analyze each element of a bacterial biofilm, a semi-quantitative measurement of glycocalyx using toluidine blue and an improved ATP bioluminescence assay were developed.


RESULTS
In the toluidine blue assay, a linear correlation was obtained between optical density and the amount of gellan gum, which is an exopolysaccharide derived from Pseudomonas elodea. By using the improved ATP assay, ATP at concentration of 1 x 10(-4) mol/l or floating bacterial cells of 10(3) cfu could be detected. The applicability of these two methods was examined in evaluating a total amount of glycocalyx and ATP content of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms, which were developed or treated with antimicrobial agents in a modified Robbins device.


CONCLUSIONS
The changes in optical density and ATP luminescence were reasonable, and well correlated with those obtained by scanning electron microscopy. These results indicate that the toluidine blue assay and ATP assay are useful in analyzing bacterial biofilms.
D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000032:analysis*; D018441:Biofilms; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis*; D008163:Luminescent Measurements; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000032:analysis*; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000737:chemistry*; D014048:Tolonium Chloride
D006023:Glycoproteins; D011134:Polysaccharides; D014048:Tolonium Chloride; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate