Bacterial Adhesion Mechanisms on Solid Surfaces

Bacterial adhesion to solid surfaces is governed by a sequence of events that begin with reversible physicochemical interactions and culminate in irreversible attachment and biofilm development. Initial contact is dominated by long‐range forces such as van der Waals attraction and electrostatic repulsion, modulated by the surface charge of both bacterium and substrate. Short‐range interactions, including hydrophobic forces and specific ligand–receptor binding via adhesins, pili or fimbriae, stabilise attachment. Once in close proximity, many species secrete extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), creating a conditioned film that enhances retention and promotes microcolony formation. Surface properties—such as roughness, wettability and chemical functionality—profoundly influence bacterial settlement, while environmental factors like ionic strength, pH and flow conditions further modulate adhesion kinetics. A detailed understanding of these processes has global significance, informing the design of antimicrobial coatings for medical devices, the control of biofouling in water systems, and the optimisation of bacterial immobilisation in bioremediation and industrial biocatalysis.

Research from Nature Portfolio

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Research from all publishers

Recent investigations have expanded understanding of how surface chemistry dictates microbial attachment. A study of Rhodococcus opacus adherence to apatite minerals demonstrated that cell affinity is governed by changes in zeta potential and contact angle on the mineral surface, with adsorption kinetics well described by Freundlich and pseudo‐second-order models. This work highlights the potential for engineering bacterial sorbents in bioremediation. In aquaculture probiotics research, comparison of fish intestinal lactobacilli and Escherichia coli strains revealed species-specific effects of growth medium on cell surface hydrophobicity, auto-aggregation and biofilm formation on polystyrene. Findings underscore the importance of cell surface properties in probiotic adherence to host and non-host surfaces. A pilot comparison of bacterial adhesion to anionic versus zwitterionic bandage contact lenses in dogs showed that anionic materials reduced initial adherence but could favour subsequent biofilm maturation. This study emphasises how lens surface charge and material chemistry shape microbial colonisation in vivo and in vitro.

Bacterial Adhesion Mechanisms on Solid Surfaces publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in bacterial adhesion mechanisms on solid surfaces across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Cell surface hydrophobicity (CSH): The tendency of bacterial cell envelopes to repel water, influencing attraction to hydrophobic substrates.

Zeta potential: The electrical potential at the slipping plane of a cell in suspension, reflecting net surface charge and affecting electrostatic interactions.

Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS): A matrix of polysaccharides, proteins and nucleic acids secreted by bacteria that cements cells to surfaces and to one another.

Biofilm: A structured community of microbial cells embedded in EPS, attached irreversibly to a surface and exhibiting distinct physiology.

References

1. Fish Probiotics: Cell Surface Properties of Fish Intestinal Lactobacilli and Escherichia coli. Microorganisms (2023).
2. Retention, Bacterial Adhesion, and Biofilm Formation between Anionic and Zwitterionic Bandage Contact Lenses in Healthy Dogs: A Pilot Study. Veterinary Sciences (2021).
3. Adhesion evaluation of the Rhodococcus opacus strain on an apatite surface. REM - International Engineering Journal (2021).