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Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopic methods for microbial ecology: analysis of bacteria, bacteria-polymer mixtures and biofilmsFourier transform-infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy has been used to rapidly and nondestructively analyze bacteria, bacteria-polymer mixtures, digester samples and microbial biofilms. Diffuse reflectance FT-IR (DRIFT) analysis of freeze-dried, powdered samples offered a means of obtaining structural information. The bacteria examined were divided into two groups. The first group was characterized by a dominant amide I band and the second group of organisms displayed an additional strong carbonyl stretch at approximately 1740 cm-1. The differences illustrated by the subtraction spectra obtained for microbes of the two groups suggest that FT-IR spectroscopy can be utilized to recognize differences in microbial community structure. Calculation of specific band ratios has enabled the composition of bacteria and extracellular or intracellular storage product polymer mixtures to be determined for bacteria-gum arabic (amide I/carbohydrate C-O approximately 1150 cm-1) and bacteria-poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate (amide I/carbonyl approximately 1740 cm-1). The key band ratios correlate with the compositions of the material and provide useful information for the application of FT-IR spectroscopy to environmental biofilm samples and for distinguishing bacteria grown under differing nutrient conditions. DRIFT spectra have been obtained for biofilms produced by Vibrio natriegens on stainless steel disks. Between 48 and 144 h, an increase in bands at approximately 1440 and 1090 cm-1 was seen in FT-IR spectra of the V. natriegens biofilm. DRIFT spectra of mixed culture effluents of anaerobic digesters show differences induced by shifts in input feedstocks. The use of flow-through attenuated total reflectance has permitted in situ real-time changes in biofilm formation to be monitored and provides a powerful tool for understanding the interactions within adherent microbial consortia.
Document ID
20040089853
Acquisition Source
Ames Research Center
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Nichols, P. D.
(Florida State University Tallahassee 32306-3043, United States)
Henson, J. M.
Guckert, J. B.
Nivens, D. E.
White, D. C.
Date Acquired
August 21, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1985
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of microbiological methods
Volume: 4
ISSN: 0167-7012
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NCA2-IR235-401
CONTRACT_GRANT: N001483-G0166
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG2-149
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
NASA Discipline Number 61-10
Non-NASA Center
NASA Discipline Life Support Systems

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