Critical-point drying: rapid method for the determination of bacterial extracellular polymer and surface structures.

  • 1 August 1974
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 28  (2) , 312-6
Abstract
The relative amount of extracellular polymer which remains about Azotobacter vinelandii, Zoogloea ramigera, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Diplococcus pneumoniae after critical-point drying was studied by electron microscopy. The results obtained with this technique are compared to those obtained with methods that illustrate extracellular polymer, such as freeze-etching and ruthenium red staining. Comparative results indicate critical-point drying to be a rapid, reliable method for the determination of capsule-like polymer surrounding bacterial cells. In addition, critical-point drying can be used to observe morphogenetic changes, such as vesicle production.