Biofilms Methods for Enzymatic Release of Microorganisms

From The Critics

Reviewer: Eugene M. Muller, PhD(Framingham State College)
Description: This monograph focuses on a unique methodology for the removal of bacteria from aggregates and biofilms, thus allowing precise quantification of bacterial populations.
Purpose: Its purpose is to present an overview of mechanisms and microbial structures involved in adherence and of the role of adherence in pathogenesis and in environmental processes. Following that background, the author describes an enzymatic method for isolation of attached microbes and presents practical examples of the utility of the method.
Audience: The monograph is written for researchers in the fields of microbial ecology, public health, industrial microbiology, and infectious diseases. With the continuing recognition of the importance of the biofilm mode of growth, this information is also of interest to applied scientists and students.
Features: The book is organized into sections including brief reviews of microbial structures involved in adherence and ecology and a final section outlining the enzymatic procedure and presenting examples of its use.
Assessment: Although this book could be a valuable addition to this rapidly growing area of microbiology and ecology, there are several flaws that limit its utility. The text is very difficult to read. The overviews of structure and ecology are too incomplete and too outdated to be of value to students or researchers. The descriptions of the new techniques are incompletely discussed, and they are poorly supported by solid experimental data. The methods are of limited utility because bacterial growth may continue during enzymatic treatments, therefore interfering with the goal of quantification.

Eugene M. Muller

This monograph focuses on a unique methodology for the removal of bacteria from aggregates and biofilms, thus allowing precise quantification of bacterial populations. Its purpose is to present an overview of mechanisms and microbial structures involved in adherence and of the role of adherence in pathogenesis and in environmental processes. Following that background, the author describes an enzymatic method for isolation of attached microbes and presents practical examples of the utility of the method. The monograph is written for researchers in the fields of microbial ecology, public health, industrial microbiology, and infectious diseases. With the continuing recognition of the importance of the biofilm mode of growth, this information is also of interest to applied scientists and students. The book is organized into sections including brief reviews of microbial structures involved in adherence and ecology and a final section outlining the enzymatic procedure and presenting examples of its use. Although this book could be a valuable addition to this rapidly growing area of microbiology and ecology, there are several flaws that limit its utility. The text is very difficult to read. The overviews of structure and ecology are too incomplete and too outdated to be of value to students or researchers. The descriptions of the new techniques are incompletely discussed, and they are poorly supported by solid experimental data. The methods are of limited utility because bacterial growth may continue during enzymatic treatments, therefore interfering with the goal of quantification.

2 Stars from Doody