Quantitative observations of heterogeneities in Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms.
Heterogeneity in a Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm was quantified by measuring distributions of thickness in biofilm samples and a distribution of particle sizes in effluent samples. The mean steady-state thickness was approximately 33 microns, but individual measurements ranged from 13.3 to 60.0 microns. Particles exceeding 100 microns3 were observed in the reactor effluent. The results reveal a rough biofilm surface and indicate that most biomass detaches in the form of multicellular particles.
Stewart
P S
PS
Center for Interfacial Microbial Process Engineering, College of Engineering, Montana State University, Bozeman 59717.
Peyton
B M
BM
Drury
W J
WJ
Murga
R
R
D001422:Bacterial Adhesion; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D004463:Ecology; D004783:Environmental Microbiology; D010316:Particle Size; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology