Figure 3. The bbfA mutant demonstrated reduced adhesion and microcolony formation.

A. The wild-type, bbfA mutant and trans-complemented bbfA mutant (pME-1439), along with the control wild-type and bbfA mutant strains harbouring pME, were grown in LB under static conditions at 37°C for 48 hours. Biofilms were stained for exopolysaccharide using the periodic acid-Schiff protocol and examined by light microscopy. B. The wild-type and bbfA mutant biofilms were also fixed with 2.5% v/v glutaldehyde and examined by scanning electron microscopy.