AnIn VitroStudy of Adhesion of VariousLactobacillusSpecies

Abstract

Forty strains from 20 different species of Lactobacillus were examined for their surface characteristics. Large variations in adhesive abilities of strains were found in all the assays. Adhesion to polystyrene (ranging from − 1.0 per cent to 12.5 per cent) and cell surface hydrophobicity (ranging from −6.5 per cent to 90.2 per cent) were significantly correlated (P < 0.001). Coating the polystyrene surface with 5 per cent clarified whole saliva in PBS blocked >85 per cent of adhesion. Adhesion to buccal epithelial cells (ranging from − 0.2 per cent to 1.4 per cent) and the net cell surface charge (ranging from −0.89 to 0.23) were significantly correlated (P < 0.001). Only 4/40 strains showed a net positive cell surface charge. Bacterial adhesion to hydroxyapatite varied between 0.4 per cent and 53.5 per cent. Hydroxyapatite adhesion was correlated with adhesion to polystyrene (P < 0.001), and cell surface hydrophobicity (P < 0.001). Coating hydroxyapatite with clarified whole saliva caused a significant reduction in adhesion (P < 0.001). Adhesion to saliva-coated hydroxyapatite varied between 0.3 per cent and 8.6 per cent. Only 13/40 strains were aggregated by saliva to an extent greater than 10 per cent. The results indicate a relationship between the adhesive capabilities of lactobacilli and the cell-surface phenomena of hydrophobicity and surface charge.