Effects of surface-active chemicals on microbial adhesion

Summary A simple, continuously circulating fed-batch culture system of microorganisms was designed and used to study the adhesion of mixed microbial cultures to surfaces of 316 stainless steel, Admiralty brass, and wood. The adhesion of the microbes to the surfaces was monitored by scanning electron microscope analysis. Eighteen non-toxic, non-ionic, or anionic surface-active compounds were tested for efficacy as inhibitors of microbial adhesion to stainless steel and wood surfaces. A rating system was devised to correlate efficacy with the degree of biomass adhered to 316 stainless steel, although correlation could not be made with wood. A correlation was also found between the ability of a compound to lower surface tension and its ability to prevent microbial adhesion.