The Deposition of Streptococcus sanguis NCTC 7868 from a Flowing Suspension

Abstract

Summary: Measurements were made of the rates at which continuously cultured Streptococcus sanguis NCTC 7868 cells accumulated on the inside surfaces of narrow glass capillaries from suspensions of the bacteria flowing down the capillaries at different velocities. Initially, the rate of accumulation of bacteria on the clean walls of the capillary was rapid. The deposition rate decreased with time, however, resulting in a saturation coverage of the glass surface which was considerably less than a monolayer. Multilayer coverage of the tube surface by bacteria was only achieved when fresh nutrient was pumped over deposited cells. This was attributed to cell growth.