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Appl Environ Microbiol. 1974 August; 28(2): 312-316
Copyright © 1974 American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Critical-Point Drying: Rapid Method for the Determination of Bacterial Extracellular Polymer and Surface Structures

Department of Microbiology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210

ABSTRACT

The relative amount of extracellular polymer which remains about Azotobacter vinelandii, Zoogloea ramigera, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Diplococcus pneumoniae after critical-point drying was studied by electron microscopy. The results obtained with this technique are compared to those obtained with methods that illustrate extracellular polymer, such as freeze-etching and ruthenium red staining. Comparative results indicate critical-point drying to be a rapid, reliable method for the determination of capsule-like polymer surrounding bacterial cells. In addition, critical-point drying can be used to observe morphogenetic changes, such as vesicle production.