Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilm quantification: effect of different solvents and dyes.

Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilm formed in the presence of the solvents DMSO, ethanol or methanol was quantified using safranin or crystal violet staining protocols. We found that biofilm quantification was the most accurate when safranin protocol was applied. Moreover, both DMSO and ethanol stimulated biofilm formation.