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. 2016 Sep 8;6:32841. doi: 10.1038/srep32841

Figure 6. Influence of EPS matrix-degrading enzyme on the pH distribution within the microcolony.

Figure 6

. (A) A sequential montage of cross-sectional images of degraded EPS-matrix from top to bottom areas of the microcolony; the images of degraded EPS-matrix were obtained by determining the differences between the images before and after dextranase treatment via the fluorescence image subtraction function of ImageJ; representative orthogonal pH distribution images of (B) intact and (C) dextranase-treated microcolonies. The profile of pH values across the diameter of (D) intact and (E) dextranase-treated microcolonies. Dextranase treatment digested the upper and peripheral EPS layers, and resulted in minimal EPS degradation in the interior or bottom layers of the microcolony. Degradation of the surrounding EPS facilitates neutralization of the microcolony interior environment.