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Photon emission by bacteria challenged with phenylacetaldehyde. A possible distinction between gram-positive and
M J Surpili1, A Faljoni-Alario, G Cilento
1Department of Biochemistry, Instituto de Química, Universidade de Sao Paulo.
Photochemistry and Photobiology
|March 1, 1993
Abstract:
With all bacteria tested, addition of phenylacetaldehyde leads to light emission. The latter is markedly stronger with gram-negative bacteria, presumably because they possess a thinner wall and an extra external lipophilic membrane. Consistent with this explanation, the bactericidal effect of phenylacetaldehyde is also stronger with gram-negative bacteria. The spectrum of the emitted light shows maximal emission in the 500 nm region and is very similar to that observed when a protein (bovine serum albumin), free amino acids or isopropylamine reacts with phenylacetaldehyde.