Different profiles of the negatively stained citrus canker bacterium Xanthomonas citri pv. citri depending on culture media and heavy metal stains

Staining profiles and bacterial morphology were compared in Xanthomonas citri pv. citri by a transmission electron microscopy. Four types of negative staining regimes were employed depending on culture media and heavy metal stains. The bacterial cells grown on LB agar media often appeared clustered on the supporting film. Meanwhile, individual bacterial cells could be readily found on the preparations from LB broth media. Typical rod-shaped cells (ca. 1 μm in length) and their flagella were observed in either 2% uranyl acetate (UA) or 2% neutralized potassium phosphotungstate (PTA) staining. The UA-stained bacteria often showed relatively intact cell morphology and rather positively stained cells with a thin electron-dense stain depth around bacteria. The PTA-stained bacteria were characterized by the wrinkled cell surface where the stain was entrapped in grooves. In addition, distinct electron-dense stain depth was evident around the PTA-stained preparations. Numerous fimbriae could be mostly observed from the PTA-stained preparations of the two culture media, but not from the UA-stained preparations.