Physicochemical Interactions of the Substratum, Microorganisms, and the Fluid Phase

In biological systems the application of DLVO theory as well as the quantitative description of short-range forces becomes difficult, and carefully designed experiments are required.

Abstract

The adhesion of microorganisms to surfaces is influenced by long-range, short-range, and hydrodynamic forces. In the study of particle adhesion using well-defined, nonliving systems, long-range forces are adequately described by DLVO theory (due to Derjaguin and Landau, and Verwey and Overbeek), and hydrodynamic forces can be controlled. The quantitative description of short-range forces, however, remains a problem. In biological systems the application of DLVO theory as well as the quantitative description of short-range forces becomes difficult. Consequently, carefully designed experiments are required. The authors suggest that in order to advance the study of microbial adhesion, it is necessary for physical chemists and microbiologists to collaborate in a detailed study of adhesion in a well characterized microbiological system.