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Sorption of Streptococcus faecium to glass
Acta Pathologica Et Microbiologica Scandinavica. Section B, Microbiology
|February 1, 1977
Summary
Researchers studied how Streptococcus faecium bacteria attach to glass surfaces. They found that chemical interactions, possibly hydrophobic, play a key role in this bacterial sorption process.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Biophysics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Understanding bacterial adhesion is crucial for various applications, including medical device design and water purification.
- Streptococcus faecium (now Enterococcus faecalis) is a common bacterium with implications in healthcare settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the passive sorption mechanisms of Streptococcus faecium to soda-lime glass.
- To identify factors influencing bacterial attachment and detachment from a glass surface.
Main Methods:
- Studied Streptococcus faecium sorption to soda-lime cover glasses under controlled conditions.
- Varied temperature, time, cell concentration, and solute molarity (NaCl, KCl) to assess their effects.
- Investigated desorption using buffer washes, Tween 80, distilled water, salt solutions, urea, and unlabeled bacteria.
Main Results:
- Sorption increased with temperature (up to 50°C), time, and cell concentration, with no equilibrium reached within 8 hours or at 3 x 10^10 cells/ml.
- Electrical double layers influenced cell apposition, as sorption increased with NaCl and KCl molarity up to 0.1 M.
- Tween 80 (1%) significantly inhibited sorption (to 26% of controls), suggesting hydrophobic interactions are important.
Conclusions:
- Bacterial sorption to glass is primarily mediated by chemical interactions between the cell surface and the glass.
- Hydrophobic interactions are likely significant in the binding of Streptococcus faecium to glass surfaces.
- Passive sorption is influenced by environmental factors and surface chemistry.