Changes in the cell surface hydrophobicity (CSH) of bacteria Zymomonas mobilis 113S were examined in response to varied environmental conditions (temperature and phase of growth, concentration or type of carbon source, the presence of amphiphilic compounds). The values of CSH were elevated with a decreased growth rate over the time of cultivation up to 20-22% at the stationary phase. CSH values increased proportionally with the growth of cultivation temperature and concentration of carbon source (glucose or sucrose) or amphiphilic compound (aliphatic alcohols, Tween80) in the medium. Replacement of sucrose by glucose and the presence of Tween20 in the growth medium resulted in reduced values of CSH. An inverse relationship was detected between the number of attached cells to the hydrophilic glass surfaces and the CSH values of Z mobilis whereas direct linear relationship was observed for hydrophobic surfaces. Permeation rates of the fluorescent probe (NPN) into the cells were directly proportional to the concentration of extracellular protein in the medium and to the values of CSH indicating the impaired barrier function for more hydrophobic cells. The multiple correlation between the CSH values and absorption indices of FT-IR spectra at the fingerprint region (866-1088 cm(-1)) suggests the possible contribution of carbohydrates and/or lipopolysaccharides in observed changes of Z mobilis hydrophobicity. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.