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Preparation of Cell Extracts by Cryogrinding in an Automated Freezer Mill
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Preparation of Cell Extracts by Cryogrinding in an Automated Freezer Mill

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THE EXTRACTION OF THE CELL CONTENT OF MICRO-ORGANISMS BY PERCUSSION OF THE FROZEN CELLS

J M Johlin1, R C Avery

  • 1Department of Biochemistry and the Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville.

The Journal of Experimental Medicine
|October 30, 2009
PubMed

Insights

This study introduces a rapid method for extracting microbial components by freezing and percussing cells. This technique efficiently yields biuret-positive filtrates from various bacteria and yeast cultures.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Traditional microbial extraction methods can be time-consuming.
  • Efficiently obtaining cellular components is crucial for biochemical analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a rapid method for obtaining fresh microbial extracts.
  • To assess the efficacy of the percussion method across diverse microorganisms.

Main Methods:

  • Employing percussion on frozen microbial cells to induce lysis.
  • Washing cells prior to the extraction process.
  • Testing the method on various bacterial species (e.g., *B. coli*, *B. dyphtheriae*) and yeast.

Main Results:

  • Successfully obtained fresh filtrates using the percussion method.
  • The resulting filtrates tested positive for the biuret reaction, indicating protein presence.
  • Heavy precipitates were observed upon acetic acid addition, suggesting the extraction of specific macromolecules.

Conclusions:

  • Percussion of frozen microbial cells is a rapid and effective extraction technique.
  • The method is applicable to a wide range of microorganisms, including clinically relevant bacteria and yeast.
  • The extracted filtrates contain significant amounts of protein and other macromolecules suitable for further analysis.

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