Saturated C-21-C-33 hydrocarbons are involved the self-regulation of Pseudomonas fluorescens adhesion to a glass surface

One of the two putative groups of antiadhesins was identified in Pseudomonu s fluorescens by the method of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. A mixt ure of high-molecular unbranched hydrocarbons (HC) with a chain length from 21 to 33 carbon atoms reduced cell adhesion to a glass surface. These HC a ccumulated in the culture liquid to a total concentration of 10-15 mug/l: t he concentrations of individual HC ranged from 0.1 to 3.0 mug/l. After the addition of individual HC to the bacterial culture, the number of cells att ached to the glass surface decreased. This decrease in cell adhesion was du e to the enhanced aggregation of the bacterial cells, which promoted mechan ical (hydrodynamic) cell detachment from the surface.