Electrophoretic mobility and hydrophobicity as a measured to predict the initial steps of bacterial adhesion

TLDR

The study examined how physiochemical surface parameters affect bacterial adhesion to negatively charged polystyrene. Hydrophobicity and electrokinetic potential of bacterial cells were measured using contact angle analysis and electrophoresis. Both hydrophobicity and electrokinetic potential influence bacterial adhesion, with the effect of electrokinetic potential becoming stronger as hydrophobicity decreases, and growth conditions that increase growth rates make cells more hydrophobic, potentially affecting bacterial spread in the environment.

Abstract

The relationship between physiochemical surface parameters and adhesion of bacterial cells to negatively charged polystyrene was studied. Cell surface hydrophobicity and electrokinetic potential were determined by contact angle measurement and electrophoresis, respectively. Both parameters influence cell adhesion. The effect of the electrokinetic potential increases with decreasing hydrophobicity. Cell surface characteristics determining adhesion are influenced by growth conditions. At high growth rates, bacterial cells tend to become more hydrophobic. This fact can be of ecological significance for controlling the spread of bacteria throughout the environment.