Binding ofEscherichia coliK-12 to cellulose

Abstract

Escherichia coli K-12 populations containing up to 3 · 109 bacteria were reversibly retained by columns containing fibrous cellulose. Using chromatographic retention as an assay of attachment to cellulose, the factors affecting bacterial binding were investigated. Minimal binding was observed in the absence of ions or at high pH. Optimal binding was observed in the presence of low concentrations of divalent cations at any pH or at pH below 4 in the absence of divalent cations. Factors found not to significantly affect bacterial retention by cellulose included the culture conditions of the bacteria, the presence of surface appendages, the presence of various sugars during chromatography or variations in elution temperature between 0 and 70°C. These results suggest that mechanisms not dependent on appendages contribute to the adhesion of a bacterium to an inert surface.