Evaporation-driven internal flows within a sessile droplet can transport microorganisms close to the leaf surface and facilitate their infiltration into the available openings, such as stomata. Here, using microfabricated surfaces out of polydimethylsiloxane, the sole effects of evaporation of sessile droplets in contamination of plant leaves was studied. These surfaces were patterned with stomata, trichomes, and grooves that are common surface microstructures on plant leaves. Evaporation of sessile droplets, containing bacterial suspensions, on real leaves and fabricated surfaces was studied using confocal microscopy. To provide insight about the effects of leaf hydrophobicity and surface roughness on the bacterial retention and infiltration, variations of contact angle of sessile droplets at these surfaces were measured during evaporation. The results showed that evaporation-driven flow transported bacteria close to the surface of spinach leaves and fabricated surfaces, leading to distinct infiltration into the stomata. Larger size and wider spacing of the micropores, and a more hydrophilic surface, led bacteria to spread more at the droplet base area and infiltrate into more stomata. Evaporation-driven movement of contact line, which can sweep bacteria over the leaf surface, was shown to lead to bacterial infiltration into the stomatal pores. Findings should help improve microbial safety of leafy greens.
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November 2019
Research Article|
November 20 2019
Retention and infiltration of bacteria on a plant leaf driven by surface water evaporation

Special Collection:
Food and Fluids
Mohsen Ranjbaran
;
Mohsen Ranjbaran
Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University
, Riley-Robb Hall, Ithaca, New York 14853-5701, USA
Search for other works by this author on:
Ashim K. Datta
Ashim K. Datta
a)
Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University
, Riley-Robb Hall, Ithaca, New York 14853-5701, USA
a)Author to whom correspondence should be addressed: [email protected]
Search for other works by this author on:
Mohsen Ranjbaran
Ashim K. Datta
a)
Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University
, Riley-Robb Hall, Ithaca, New York 14853-5701, USA
a)Author to whom correspondence should be addressed: [email protected]
Note: This paper is part of the Special Topic on Food and Fluids.
Physics of Fluids 31, 112106 (2019)
Article history
Received:
August 30 2019
Accepted:
November 03 2019
Connected Content
A companion article has been published:
How bacteria infiltrate edible leafy greens
Citation
Mohsen Ranjbaran, Ashim K. Datta; Retention and infiltration of bacteria on a plant leaf driven by surface water evaporation. Physics of Fluids 1 November 2019; 31 (11): 112106. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5126127
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