Physico-chemistry of initial microbial adhesive interactions – its mechanisms and methods for study

Abstract

In this review, initial microbial adhesive interactions are divided into adhesion to substratum surfaces, coaggregation between microbial pairs and co-adhesion between sessile and planktonic microorganisms of different strains or species. The physico-chemical mechanisms underlying the adhesive interactions are described and a critical review is given of currently employed methods to study microbial adhesive interactions, with an emphasis on the use of the parallel plate flow chamber. Subsequently, for each of the three microbial adhesive interactions distinguished, the role of Lifshitz-van der Waals, acid-base and electrostatic interactions is described based on existing literature.

Adhesion of Streptococcus sanguinis to Dental Implant and Restorative Materials in vitro

“…Shown are means and standard deviations of Ra (n=10 for tooth slides, n=5 for dental materials), and for CA mean and quality of fit (=linear equation to experimental dataset) a material like surface free energy, hydrophobicity, and surface roughness, as well as material composition, affect initial bacterial adhesion [13][14][15] .…”

“…They further showed that the influence of surface roughness was stronger than that of surface free energy and surface hydrophobicity. Generally, rough surfaces promote bacterial adhesion whereas smooth surfaces minimize it [13][14][15] . According to Bollen et al 16) , surface roughness below Ra=0.2 m had no further quantitative and qualitative effects on bacterial adhesion.…”

The role of cell-surface interactions in bacterial initial adhesion and consequent biofilm formation on nanofiltration/reverse osmosis membranes

“…It should be noted, however, that these theories should be applied with caution; for example, bacterial cell properties can change due to a change in EPS expression, consequently affecting their adhesion [22]. Furthermore, the presence of bacterial appendages, even negatively charged ones, can pierce the electrostatic energy barrier between the negatively charged surface of the bacteria and the negative charge of the adhering surface [23]. Finally, the presence of organic matter and other solutes in real water will foul the membrane by forming a cake layer on the membrane surface which will change with time and affect the adhesion of bacteria [24], adding substantial complexity to the system.…”

Synthesis and Characterization of Surface-Grafted Polyacrylamide Brushes and Their Inhibition of Microbial Adhesion

“…Polymer brushes increase the distance between microorganisms and a substratum surface by entropic effects, therewith reducing the attractive forces between surface and the microorganisms. [10][11][12] As a result, reductions in microbial adhesion by 2 orders of magnitude have been reported 13 for different strains and species.…”