Figure 6.

Scanning electron micrographs of bacteria exposed to selected volatile organic compounds. (a) E. coli in the (i) absence and (ii,iii) presence of isovaleric acid. (b) M. luteus in the (i) absence and (ii,iii) presence of isovaleric acid. Cell surface blebbing is visible, with an altered shape and evidence of autolysis. (c) Cryo-SEM of M. luteus in the absence (i) and presence of isovaleric acid: (ii) edge of the zone of inhibition showing healthy cells alongside lysed cells, (iii) zone of inhibition showing islands of intact and unhealthy cells, (iv) details of healthy and dying cells, (v) micro-colony of healthy cells in the zone of inhibition and (vi) micro-colony of dying cells.