Studies of the bacterial surfaces by XPS and SEM methods

Abstract

This work presents the results of studies on bacteria Bacillus subtilis which was grown at di erent temperatures. The experiments were carried out using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and scanning electron microscope equipped with cryo-chamber , which gives the possibility of testing biological samples in a frozen state. These methods enabled receiving images of surface topography of the bacteria and demarcated their chemical composition. After deconvolution of the lines C 1s and O 1s information concerning the intensity of the various functional groups in the bindings presented in the cell walls surface of tested strain and reallocation in relation to the temperaturę of incubation was obtained. These changes are visible in the form of an additional peak in both the C 1s and O 1s in bacteria cultured in suboptimum temperature.