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Quantification of extracellular polymeric substances in biofilms by confocal laser scanning microscopy

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Abstract

Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) in a biofilm were quantified by measuring the total cell volume from a 3-D image of the biofilm using confocal laser scanning microscope after staining cells with a fluorescent dye specific for nucleic acids. The EPS content was the difference between the volatile solids in the biofilm and the total cell mass, which could be quantified from the measured cell volume.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Engineering, Centre for Environmental Engineering Research, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong

    Tong Zhang & Herbert H.P. Fang

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  1. Tong Zhang
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  2. Herbert H.P. Fang
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Correspondence to Tong Zhang.

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Zhang, T., Fang, H.H. Quantification of extracellular polymeric substances in biofilms by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Biotechnology Letters 23, 405–409 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1005620730265

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1005620730265

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