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Surface Potential Measurement of Bacteria Using Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy
Published on: November 28, 2014
Force measurements of bacterial adhesion on metals using a cell probe atomic force microscope
Xiaoxia Sheng1, Yen Peng Ting, Simo Olavi Pehkonen
1Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 4, 117576 Singapore.
Journal of Colloid and Interface Science
|February 27, 2007
Summary
Microbial cell adhesion to metals varies by metal type and bacterial species. Atomic Force Microscopy revealed aluminum promotes highest adhesion, while copper shows the least, influenced by surface properties and bacterial physiology.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Materials Science
- Surface Chemistry
Background:
- Microbial adhesion to metal surfaces is critical in natural and engineered systems.
- Understanding these interactions is key for controlling biofilm formation and corrosion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify bacterial adhesion forces to different metal surfaces.
- To investigate the influence of metal and bacterial surface properties on adhesion.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) with a modified bacterial tip.
- Measured attraction and repulsion forces between bacterial cells and metal surfaces (stainless steel, mild steel, aluminum, copper).
- Examined adhesion of sulfate-reducing bacteria (Desulfovibrio desulfuricans, marine isolate) and Pseudomonas sp.
Main Results:
- Bacterial adhesion force was highest on aluminum and lowest on copper.
- Adhesion forces were influenced by electrostatic interactions and metal surface hydrophobicity.
- Bacterial surface charge and hydrophobicity also impacted bacteria-metal interactions.
- Pseudomonas sp. and D. desulfuricans showed greater adhesion than the marine SRB isolate.
Conclusions:
- AFM provides valuable insights into bacteria-metal surface interactions.
- Metal and bacterial surface characteristics significantly govern microbial adhesion.
- Findings are relevant for managing microbial influenced corrosion and biofilm engineering.
