Methane producing bacteria: immunological characterization. Final Report, 1 April 1981-31 March 1984

Technical Report · Thu Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1984

OSTI ID:5989542

Demacario, E C; Macario, A J.L.; Wolin, M J

Methanogenic bacteria, or methanogens, were studied systematically with immunologic techniques. A comprehensive bank of reference antisera was organized from which calibrated antibody probes were generated of high resolution power for rapid bacterial identification and classification, and for examining samples from complex ecosystems. A method was standardized for antigenic fingerprinting methanogens. It was found that these bacteria form an immunologically coherent group, with subgroups of antigenically related members. Antigenic relationships paralleled the phylogenetic organization delineated by comparisons of 165 rRNA nucleotide sequences, and by cell wall chemistry. Immunologic data emerged as one of the three basic tenets of the notion that methanogens belong in a third primary kingdom, the archaebacteria, evolutionarily different from eubacteria and eukaryotes. The finding, methods and antibodies produced were useful monitoring the bacterial flora of bioreactors. Direct examination of specimens is now possible by simple and specific immunologic procedures, in a few hours.

• Research Organization: New York State Dept. of Health, Albany (USA). Div. of Labs. and Research
• OSTI ID: 5989542
• Report Number(s): N-84-29438
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550700* -- Microbiology
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
ALKANES
ANTIBODIES
ANTIGENS
BACTERIA
BIOASSAY
BIOCONVERSION
BIOLOGICAL EVOLUTION
HYDROCARBONS
IMMUNOLOGY
METHANE
METHANOGENIC BACTERIA
MICROORGANISMS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS