Microbial “footprints”—A new approach to adhesive polymers

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Abstract
Extracellular polymers are responsible for attachment of bacteria to inert surfaces. To date, adhesive polymers have been isolated from the culture supernatant or from the bacterial cell surface. The true adhesive polymer may be synthesised during the early adhesion process resulting in irreversible adhesion. In this study, marine bacteria were allowed to adhere to hydrophobic surfaces, then cells were detached using an ultrasonic water bath with adjustable energy input and degassing periods. The remaining “footprints”; were demonstrated by the use of various chemical staining techniques for light microscopy. In addition they were examined by transmission electron microscopy and by scanning electron microscopy. Finally, with a new method using lectins in combination with a fluorescent protein stain, it was possible to clearly demonstrate the “footprint”; material remaining on the surface. With this new approach it should be possible to develop a method for harvesting enough material to investigate the chemical composition of the “footprints”; and compare it with polymers isolated from the culture supernatant or the bacterial cell surface.