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Evidence that bacteria can form new cells in airborne particles
Applied and Environmental Microbiology
|May 1, 1979
Summary
Supplementing airborne Serratia marcescens with nutrients like tryptone boosts viable cell numbers. Nutrient-deprived bacteria decline faster than settling, and cell size changes indicate growth.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Aerosol Science
- Environmental Microbiology
Background:
- Serratia marcescens is an opportunistic pathogen.
- Understanding airborne bacterial survival is crucial for public health.
- Aerosolization can impact microbial viability and physiology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of nutrient availability on airborne Serratia marcescens viability.
- To determine the influence of nutrient supplementation on bacterial cell characteristics post-aerosolization.
- To compare the survival rates of supplemented versus unsupplemented airborne bacteria.
Main Methods:
- Serratia marcescens cultures were incubated and then aerosolized into controlled environmental chambers.
- Bacterial viability and cell counts were assessed over time.
- Nutrient supplementation (tryptone and glycerol) was administered before aerosolization.
- Coulter Counter was used to analyze cell volume changes.
Main Results:
- Supplemented Serratia marcescens showed a near twofold increase in viable and countable cells within 1-2 hours post-aerosolization.
- Unsupplemented cells exhibited a higher death rate than could be explained by gravitational settling alone.
- Cell volume analysis indicated growth-related changes in supplemented cells, absent in non-growing cells.
Conclusions:
- Nutrient availability significantly enhances the viability of airborne Serratia marcescens.
- Nutrient deprivation accelerates the decline of airborne bacteria.
- Airborne bacterial physiology, including cell volume, is influenced by growth conditions.
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