Chapter 13

In-situ Observation of Biofilms in Physiological Salt Water by Scanning Ion Conductance Microscopy

Nobumitsu Hirai, Futoshi Iwata and Hideyuki Kanematsu

Abstract

Biofilms formed on glass plates or polystyrene petri dishes were investigated in-situ in physiological salt water by scanning ion conductance microscopy (SICM). Environmental biofilms formed in a laboratory biofilm reactor (LBR) as well as biofilms formed by a single bacterium, Aliivibrio fischeri, could be observed by SICM. Maintaining consistency of salt concentration in the water used for SICM observation and that used in the LBR and the addition of glutaraldehyde to water before observation might be effective for clear and stable observation of biofilms by SICM.

Total Pages: 137-147 (11)

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