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Authors

Lisa Tomeczek, University of Toronto
Gregor Reid, University of Toronto
Pieter L. Cuperus, University of Groningen
Jacqueline A. McGroarty, University of Toronto
Henny C. van der Mei, University of Groningen
Andrew W. Bruce, University of Toronto
Antoine E. Khoury, University of Toronto
Henk J. Busscher, The University of Western Ontario

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

7-1-1992

Journal

FEMS Microbiology Letters

Volume

94

Issue

1-2

First Page

101

Last Page

104

URL with Digital Object Identifier

10.1016/0378-1097(92)90591-B

Abstract

Seven clinical isolates of lactobacilli were found to be relatively hydrophobic with a mean watercontact angle of 66 ± 15 degrees, and to be susceptible to 1% nonoxynol-9 and vancomycin. However, seven other strains were relatively hydrophilic with a mean water-contact angle of 32 ± 13 degrees, and found to be resistant to 25% nonoxynol-9 and vancomycin. Thus, the surface properties of lactobacilli that influence susceptibility to antimicrobial agents may involve surface hydrophobicity. Possibly the penetration barrier posed by the cell surface towards these two non-ionic antimicrobials is lower for hydrophobic cells than for hydrophilic cells. © 1992.