In-situ Observation of Biofilms in Physiological Salt Water by Scanning Ion Conductance Microscopy

In-situ Observation of Biofilms in Physiological Salt Water by Scanning Ion Conductance Microscopy

Pp: 137-147 (11)

* (Excluding Mailing and Handling)

Abstract

Biofilms formed on glass plates or polystyrene petri dishes were investigated in-situ in physiological salt water by scanning ion conductance microscopy (SICM). Environmental biofilms formed in a laboratory biofilm reactor (LBR) as well as biofilms formed by a single bacterium, Aliivibrio fischeri, could be observed by SICM. Maintaining consistency of salt concentration in the water used for SICM observation and that used in the LBR and the addition of glutaraldehyde to water before observation might be effective for clear and stable observation of biofilms by SICM.

Keywords: Biofilm, Extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs), In situ, Microorganisms, Scanning ion conductance microscopy (SICM), Scanning probe microscopy (SPM).

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