Influence of the cultivation, devitalization and preservation of Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 12598 on the activity of cell-bound protein A

Different culture conditions, devitalizing treatments, and preservation procedures were tested for the production of protein A-bearing cells of Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 12598. Native cells with the highest IgG-binding activity were obtained after cultivation at 37 degrees C for 24-48 h in enriched media. Devitalization by ethanol, 1-propanol, formaldehyde, glutardialdehyde, chloramine T, and by heat, reduced the protein A activity depending on the duration of treatment. The protein A content of devitalized cells were best preserved by storage at -20 degrees C or by lyophilization. Staphylococcal preparations with a stable IgG-binding activity of 20 mg/g bacteria, which are very suitable for coagglutination tests, were produced by culture in TSB medium, followed by devitalization with 1-propanol and lyophilization.