Starvation-survival of subsurface bacteria

Thesis/Dissertation · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1988

OSTI ID:5225571

Magill, N G

The ability of four subsurface isolates to survive starvation was examined and the results were compared to survival curves obtained for Escherichia coli B and Serratia marcescens. To examine the starvation-survival phenomenon further, several experimental parameters including nutritional history, initial cell density, growth phase, temperature of growth and starvation, and aeration. Nutritional history, initial cell density, and growth phases of the cells had some effect on the ability of these bacteria to survive whereas temperature and limited aeration had no effect under the conditions tested. No conditions were found where E. coli B or Serratia marcescens died rapidly or where less than 10% of the original cell number of viable cells remained. Because the apparent survival of these bacteria may be due to cryptic growth, cross-feeding experiments with {sup 14}C-labeled cells and unlabeled cells were carried out with E. coli B and Pseudomonas Lula V. Leaked extracellular {sup 14}C-compounds were not used for growth or maintenance energy, and were not taken up by either bacterium. Cryptic growth did not occur; the cells were truly starving under the experimental conditions used.

• Research Organization: Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5225571
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550701* -- Microbiology-- Tracer Techniques
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
BACTERIA
CARBON 14 COMPOUNDS
ESCHERICHIA COLI
FASTING
GROWTH
ISOTOPE APPLICATIONS
LABELLED COMPOUNDS
MICROORGANISMS
NUTRITION
PSEUDOMONAS
SURVIVAL TIME
TRACER TECHNIQUES