Nondestructive Biophysical Probes of the Basis and Mechanism of Resistance in Microbial Spores.
Abstract
Bacterial spores possess extraordinary resistance against destruction by heat and other deleterious agents, so compensatory safeguards must be taken in medicine and industry. Spores furthermore exemplify the general biological phenomenon of dormancy. This project is aimed at solving this puzzle with the rationale of using biophysical probes that do not destroy the cellular and molecular configurations conferring resistance in intact spores. For example, dielectric measurements were used to characterize the physicochemical states of small electrolytes and water within the spore, and photometric immersion refractometry was used to determine if dehydration of the protoplast accounts for sporal resistance to heat. These and other approaches employed a wide representation of bacterial spore types varying greatly in measured thermoresistance.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 10, 1983
- Accession Number
- ADA129768
Entities
People
- Philipp Gerhardt
Organizations
- Michigan State University