The Physiological Bases for Microbial Barotolerance.
Abstract
Work has focused on two main topics: the characterization of microbial growth inhibition by compressed gases and liquid anesthetics, and the effects of hydrostatic pressure on microorganisms. The work has involved both prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms, and for the first time, we have started to use mammalian, tissue-culture cells. It was previously concluded that growth modification by compressed gases and other anesthetics is not due to narcotic action but to a definably different class of actions. The results of experiments carried out this year have indicated clearly that helium pressure is not equivalent to hydrostatic pressure and that helium has specific biological effects. In fact, a specific inhibitory action of helium for an isolated enzyme, xanthine oxidase, was demonstrated. Hydrostatic pressure was found to have little effect on oxygen toxicity for yeast or bacteria, whereas helium (or nitrogen or argon) were potentiating. Again, helium seems to have specific biological actions, and compressed helium should not be used as a convenient means to apply hydrostatic pressure to microbial cells. The narcotic antagonists naloxone and levallorphan do not reverse the growth inhibition due to nitrous oxide or heptanol.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 31, 1980
- Accession Number
- ADA082626
Entities
People
- Robert E. Marquis
Organizations
- University of Rochester