Radiosensitization of Bacterial Spores by Potassium Permanganate
Potassium permanganate sensitized spores of Bacillus megaterium in anoxic phosphate buffer (pH 7.0) or water suspension to the lethal effects of gamma rays. At sufficiently high concentrations, ( approximates 10-2M) it increased the radiation sensitivity to a level equivalent to that seen for spores in suspension in equilibrium with oxygen, but did not enhance the sensitivity of spores oxygenated fully. Under conditions where responses due to oxygen presence were sub-maximal, potassium permanganate increased radiation sensitivity, but only to a level achieved maximally by, oxygen alone; oxygen and potassium permanganate sensitizing effects were thus additive within the oxygen effect. The proposal is made that potassium permanganate acts, in part, in wet spores by oxidation of those radiation-induced free radicals, produced directly in target molecules within spores, that can also be made harmful by interaction with oxygen.
- Research Organization:
- Univ. of Manchester, Eng.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- NSA Number:
- NSA-29-015874
- OSTI ID:
- 4338919
- Journal Information:
- International Journal of Radiation Biology and Related Studies in Physics, Chemistry and Medicine, Journal Name: International Journal of Radiation Biology and Related Studies in Physics, Chemistry and Medicine Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 24; ISSN 0020-7616
- Country of Publication:
- Country unknown/Code not available
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
*PERMANGANATES-- RADIOSENSITIVITY EFFECTS
ANOXIA
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
BUFFERS
DILUTION
GAMMA RADIATION
N48310* --Life Sciences--Radiation Effects on Microorganisms- -Basic Studies
OXYGEN
PH VALUE
PHOSPHATES
PHOTON BEAMS
POTASSIUM COMPOUNDS
RADICALS
RADIOSENSITIZERS
SUSPENSIONS
WATER