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Energetics of bacterial adhesion

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Summary

For the description of bacterial adhesion phenomena two different physico-chemical approaches are available. The first one, based on a surface Gibbs energy balance, assumes intimate contact between the interacting surfaces. The second approach, based on colloid chemical theories (DLVO theory), allows for two types of adhesion: 1) secondary minimum adhesion, which is often weak and reversible, and 2) irreversible primary minimum adhesion. In the secondary minimum adhesion a thin water film remains present between the interacting surface. The merits of both approaches are discussed in this paper. In addition, the methods available to measure the physico-chemical surface characteristics of bacteria and the influence of adsorbing (in)organic compounds, extracellular polymers and cell surface appendages on adhesion are summarized.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Kluyverlaboratorium for Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Julianalaan 67, NL-2628 BC, Delft, The Netherlands

    M. C. M. van Loosdrecht

  2. Dept of Microbiology, Wageningen Agricultural University, Hesselink van Suchtelenweg 4, NL-6703 CT, Wageningen, The Netherlands

    A. J. B. Zehnder

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  1. M. C. M. van Loosdrecht
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  2. A. J. B. Zehnder
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van Loosdrecht, M.C.M., Zehnder, A.J.B. Energetics of bacterial adhesion. Experientia 46, 817–822 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01935531

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