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Protoplast water content of bacterial spores determined by buoyant density sedimentation
Abstract:
Protoplast wet densities (1.315 to 1.400 g/ml), determined by buoyant density sedimentation in Metrizamide gradients, were correlated inversely with the protoplast water contents (26.4 to 55.0 g of water/100 g of wet protoplast) of nine diverse types of pure lysozyme-sensitive dormant bacterial spores. The correlation equation provided a precise method for obtaining the protoplast water contents of other spore types with small impure samples and indicated that the average protoplast dry density was 1.460 g/ml.
Insights
Bacterial spore protoplast densities inversely correlate with water content. This finding offers a precise method for determining water content in bacterial spores using small samples.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Bacterial spores are dormant, resistant structures.
- Understanding spore composition is crucial for various applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between bacterial spore protoplast wet density and water content.
- To develop a method for accurately determining spore water content.
Main Methods:
- Determining protoplast wet densities via buoyant density sedimentation in Metrizamide gradients.
- Analyzing nine diverse types of lysozyme-sensitive dormant bacterial spores.
Main Results:
- An inverse correlation was found between protoplast wet density (1.315–1.400 g/ml) and water content (26.4–55.0 g/100 g).
- A precise correlation equation was derived.
- The average protoplast dry density was determined to be 1.460 g/ml.
Conclusions:
- Protoplast wet density is a reliable indicator of water content in bacterial spores.
- The established method allows for accurate water content determination in small or impure spore samples.