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Appl Environ Microbiol. 1990 October; 56(10): 3081-3087
Copyright © 1990, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

1 Laboratoire de Microbiologie, INRA, CR de Clermont-FerrandTheix, 63122 Ceyrat, Laboratoire de Biologie Comparée des Protistes, CNRS URA 138, Université Blaise Pascal, Clermont II, 63170 Aubière, 2 and Station de Recherches de Nutrition, INRA, 78350 Jouy-en-Josas, 3 France
ABSTRACT
Ruminococcus flavefaciens adhered instantly to cellulose, while Fibrobacter succinogenes had the highest percentage of adherent cells after about 25 min of contact between bacteria and cellulose. Adhesion of R. flavefaciens was unaffected by high concentrations of sugars (5%), temperature, pH, oxygen, metabolic inhibitors, and lack of Na+. In contrast, the attachment was affected by the removal of divalent cations (Mg2+ and Ca2+), the presence of cellulose derivatives (methylcellulose and hydroxyethylcellulose), and cystine. Adhesion of F. succinogenes was sensitive to low and high temperatures, high concentrations of glucose and cellobiose (5%), hydroxyethylcellulose (0.1%), redox potential, pH, lack of monovalent cations, and the presence of an inhibitor of membrane ATPases or lasalocid and monensin. Cells of F. succinogenes heated at 100°C no longer were adherent. On the other hand, adhesion was insensitive to the lack of divalent cations (Mg2+ and Ca2+), the presence of 2,4-dinitrophenol, tetrachlorosalicylanilide, or inhibitors of the electron transfer chains. Adhesion of F. succinogenes seems to be related to the metabolic functions of the cell. External proteins and/or cellulases themselves might play a part in the attachment process. Several mechanisms are probably involved in the adhesion of R. flavefaciens, the main one being the interaction between the large glycocalyx and the divalent cations Ca2+ and Mg2+. Hydrophobic bonds and enzymes may also be involved.
Present address: Laboratoire de la Chaire d'Alimentation, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire de Lyon, 69280 Marcy l'Etoile, France.
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