Influence of electrical properties on the evaluation of the surface hydrophobicity of Bacillus subtilis

The surface hydrophobicity of nine Bacillus subtilis strains in different s tates (spores, vegetative cells, and dead cells) was assessed by water cont act angle measurements, hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC) and ba cterial adhesion to hydrocarbon (BATH). Electrokinetic properties of B, sub tilis strains were characterized by zeta potential measurements and found t o differ appreciably according to the strain, Correlations between HIC data , BATH data and zeta potential showed that HIC and RATH are influenced by e lectrostatic interactions. Water contact angle measurements thus provide a better estimate of cell surface hydrophobicity. The water contact angle of B. subtilis varied according to the strain and the state, the spores tendin g to be more hydrophobic than vegetative cells. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B .V. All rights reserved.