Mr. Tiyawisutsri:
There is a plethora of research in the area of the biofilm matrix otherwise
referred to a the bacterial glycocalyx. Here are some pertinent references
in this area (although there is much more):
1. Costerton JW, Irvin RT, Cheng KJ. The Bacterial Glycocalyx in
Nature and Disease.
Ann. Rev. Microbiol. 1981. 35: 299-324.
2. Marshall KC. Mechanisms of Bacterial Adhesion at Solid-Water
Interfaces. In: Bacterial Adhesion: Mechanisms and Physiological
Significance (eds. Savage DC, Fletcher M). Plenum Press, New
York. 1985. pp 133-161.
3. Sutherland IW. Microbial Exopolysaccharides - Their Role in
Microbial Adhesion in Aqueous Systems. CRC Critical Reviews in
Microbiology. Volume 10, Issue 2: 173-201.
4. Allison DG. Biofilm-Associated Exopolysacharides. Microbiology
Europe. Nov/Dec 1993. pp 16-19.
As for your specific questions:
1. How to distinguish bacterial exopolysaccharide from biofilm
exopolysaccharide?
In the first above reference, Costerton et al defines the
bacterial glycocalyx as "those
polysaccharide- containing structures, of bacterial
origin, lying outside the integral elements of the outer membrane of
Gram- negative cells an the peptidoglycan of Gram-Positive cells"1.
2. Is EPS a minor component of biofilms?
There are several studies which have investigated the
exopolysaccharide content of biofilms. These should
give you some idea of the content ratios of EPS to other
biofilm components such as bacterial cells.
3. Are there specific biofilm exopolysaccharides?
Although there are major polysaccharide groups involved in
biofilm formation, much of the specific EPS composition is
dependent on the microorganisms within the biofilm that is generating the
EPS. The composition and ratios of different exopolysaccharide
produced are not only dependent of the specific bacterial
cell producing them but is also influenced by
physical conditions ( i.e. influence of substratum, flowing
conditions, and available nutrients). Much of this is
detailed in the cited references listed above.
Hope this helps,
Tony A. Rook
Scientist
STERIS Corporation
5960 Heisley Road
Mentor, OH 44060 USA
Phone: (440) 392-7743
Email: tony_rook at steris.com
-----Original Message-----
From: "rachaneeporn tiyawisutsri" [mailto:rachaneeporn_t at hotmail.com]
Sent: Monday, July 02, 2001 5:15 AM
To: biofilms at net.bio.net
Subject: (NONE)
Hello all, I am a graduate student in Medical technology at Mahidol
University. I will have a seminar in " The biofilm matrix" . Please suggest
me about the content. And I have some question about " How to distinguish
bacterial exopolysaccharide from biofilm exopolysaccharide ?" ,
Exopolysaccharide is the minor component of the bacterial biofilm? and the
last question " Are there any specific biofilm exopolysaccharide ?
Thanks for help
Rachaneeporn Tiyawisutsri
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