Motility of flagellated bacteria in viscous environments

Abstract

The lowest viscosity that immobilized flagellated bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Spirillum serpens and Escherichia coli was 60 centipoise (cp). Much higher viscosities (1000 cp and higher) were required to immobilize 2 flagellated bacteria selectively isolated from nature by methods based on their ability to migrate through agar gels. Certain flagellated bacteria apparently have the ability to swim through environments of relatively high viscosity. These flagellated bacteria probably possess a specialized type of motility apparatus suited to viscous conditions present in their habitats.