Figure 2

Biofilm detachment process. a) Images of the biofilm in the tubing (side view) at various time points; regions where the biofilm has been displaced from the lower surface are indicated by arrows; a similar pattern of detachment was observed in more than 100 experiments; the scale bar is 2 mm; b) Approximate dimensions of the 3 h biofilm with respect to the tubing cross section; c) Changes in germ tube and cell density versus time; Legend: B, biofilm, P, planktonic (batch) culture; (By 1 h 82% and 76% of the cells geminated in biofilm and planktonic cultures, respectively);d) The multilayer biofilm that remains on the surface after draining at times up until 1 h extends along the trough of the tubing and is visible; (Representative digital camera image of the underside of the tubing); e) SEM images of the 1 h biofilm that remains on the lower surface of the tubing after draining.