The DLVO theory in microbial adhesion

Adhesion of microorganisms to various interfaces has been explained by the classical Derjaguin–Landau–Verwey– Overbeek (DLVO) theory of colloid stability. The theory has been used as a qualitative model, but also in a quantitative way to calculate adhesion free energy changes involved in microbial adhesion. In this paper some important investigations will be review that show how the DLVO theory is used in microbiology, mainly for bacteria. Other models have also been developed in order to predict adhesion, such as the thermodynamic approach and later the extended DLVO theory. These will be discussed in relation to the ‘classical’ DLVO theory. The theories assume that microbial cells behave as inert particles. The implications that follow from the fact that they are biologically active and have heterogeneous cell surfaces will also be exemplified and discussed. © 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.