Physical Chemistry of the Interface between Attached Micro-Organisms and Their Support

Abstract

The thermodynamic approach of adhesion and DLVO theory are complementary to predict initial bacterial adhesion; the interplay between short- and long-range forces, respectively, may be due to surface roughness. Due to the influence of electrical double layer interactions, adhesion can be promoted by treatments leading to modification of the cell or support surface properties. Adhesion is influenced by cell-cell interactions, by the cpresence of polymer molecules on the surface and by the composition of the medium. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy can be applied to determine the elemental composition of the surface of microorganisms; some information on the chemical functions can also be obtained. The surface composition is related to physico-chemical properties which play a determining role in adhesion and flocculation, in particular the hydrophobicity and the zeta potential.