Abstract
Several gram-negative, polarly flagellated rods were isolated on the basis of their flocculent growth habit. Some of the isolates possessed a capsular matrix which is composed of exocellular fibrils. Other isolates did not appear to have a capsular matrix when examined with a bright-field microscope with or without the aid of stains. However, these latter type isolates did possess exocellular material which can be demonstrated by adsorption of a fluorescent dye under an ultraviolet microscope. Electron microscopic examination demonstrated that the exocellular material around all isolates examined is fibrillar. The fibrils were susceptible to cellulase although all fibrils did not appear to be identical. It is postulated that the exocellular polymers were responsible for the flocculent growth habit of the bacteria, and that the process of bacterial flocculation produced by synthetic polyelectrolytes was essentially the same as that caused by naturally produced exopolymers.
Full text
PDF
Images in this article
Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- BRADLEY D. E., WILLIAMS D. J. An electron microscope study of the spores of some species of the genus Bacillus using carbon replicas. J Gen Microbiol. 1957 Aug;17(1):75–79. doi: 10.1099/00221287-17-1-75. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- CLARK J. B. Slime as a possible factor in cell clumping in Nocardia corallina. J Bacteriol. 1958 Apr;75(4):400–402. doi: 10.1128/jb.75.4.400-402.1958. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- CRABTREE K., MCCOY E., BOYLE W. C., ROHLICH G. A. ISOLATION, IDENTIFICATION, AND METABOLIC ROLE OF THE SUDANOPHILIC GRANULES OF ZOOGLOEA RAMIGERA. Appl Microbiol. 1965 Mar;13:218–226. doi: 10.1128/am.13.2.218-226.1965. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Crabtree K., Boyle W., McCoy E., Rohlich G. A. A mechanism of floc formation by Zoogloea ramigera. J Water Pollut Control Fed. 1966 Dec;38(12):1968–1980. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Finstein M. S. Growth and flocculation in a Zoogloea culture. Appl Microbiol. 1967 Jul;15(4):962–963. doi: 10.1128/am.15.4.962-963.1967. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Friedman B. A., Dugan P. R. Identification of Zoogloea species and the relationship to zoogloeal matrix and floc formation. J Bacteriol. 1968 May;95(5):1903–1909. doi: 10.1128/jb.95.5.1903-1909.1968. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Friedman B. A., Dugan P. R., Pfister R. M., Remsen C. C. Fine structure and composition of the zoogloeal matrix surrounding Zoogloea ramigera. J Bacteriol. 1968 Dec;96(6):2144–2153. doi: 10.1128/jb.96.6.2144-2153.1968. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Harrington B. J., Raper K. B. Use of a fluorescent brightener to demonstrate cellulose in the cellular slime molds. Appl Microbiol. 1968 Jan;16(1):106–113. doi: 10.1128/am.16.1.106-113.1968. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- OHAD I., DANON I. O., HESTRIN S. Synthesis of cellulose by Acetobacter xylinum. V. Ultrastructure of polymer. J Cell Biol. 1962 Jan;12:31–46. doi: 10.1083/jcb.12.1.31. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Ries H. E., Jr, Meyers B. L. Flocculation mechanism: charge neutralization and bridging. Science. 1968 Jun 28;160(3835):1449–1450. doi: 10.1126/science.160.3835.1449. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Tenney M. W., Stumm W. Chemical flocculation of microorganisms in biological waste treatment. J Water Pollut Control Fed. 1965 Oct;37(10):1370–1388. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Tezuka Y. Magnesium ion as a factor governing bacterial flocculation. Appl Microbiol. 1967 Sep;15(5):1256–1256. doi: 10.1128/am.15.5.1256-.1967. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Wessman G. E., Miller D. J. Biochemical and physical changes in shaken suspensions of Pasteurella pestis. Appl Microbiol. 1966 Jul;14(4):636–642. doi: 10.21236/ad0481042. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]