Cell surface hydrophobicity of Bacillus spp. as a function of nutrient supply and lipopeptides biosynthesis and its role in adhesion

Cell surface hydrophobicity (CSH) is recognised as a important factor in microbial adhesion to solid surfaces. Growth conditions have been found to determine the synthesis of extracellular molecules by microorganisms. It has major consequences in modification of bacterial surface properties and consequently, in bacterial adhesion to solid surfaces. In this paper, CSH properties of Bacillus spp. depending on the nutrient supply and lipopeptide biosynthesis and its role in bacterial adhesion to solid surfaces were investigated. The obtained results indicate that the examined factors (nitrogen and carbon availability) influence the CSH of Bacillus spp. cells. In most variants of the experiments the role of nutrient supply in adhesion process was characteristic for species. The strongest effect was observed for peptone concentration (P<0.001). A decrease of CSH was noticed in optimal nitrogen availability (10 g/l) and it was connected with maximum yield of surfactin biosynthesis. The highest values of CSH of examined Bacillus spp. strains were observed under nitrogen starvation and in excess of carbon source. In these conditions the adhesion to stainless steel surface was more extensive.