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Precision and sensitivity of the measurement of 15N enrichment in D-alanine from bacterial cell walls using positive/negative ion mass spectrometrySensitive detection of cellular components from specific groups of microbes can be utilized as 'signatures' in the examination of microbial consortia from soils, sediments or biofilms. Utilizing capillary gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and stereospecific derivatizing agents, D-alanine, a component localized in the prokaryotic (bacterial) cell wall, can be detected reproducibly. Enrichments of D-[15N]alanine determined in E. coli grown with [15N]ammonia can be determined with precision at 1.0 atom%. Chemical ionization with methane gas and the detection of negative ions (M - HF)- and (M - F or M + H - HF)- formed from the heptafluorobutyryl D-2 butanol ester of D-alanine allowed as little as 8 pg (90 fmol) to be detected reproducibly. This method can be utilized to define the metabolic activity in terms of 15N incorporation at the level of 10(3)-10(4) cells, as a function of the 15N-14N ratio.
Document ID
20040089852
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Tunlid, A.
(University of Lund Sweden)
Odham, G.
Findlay, R. H.
White, D. C.
Date Acquired
August 21, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1985
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of microbiological methods
Volume: 3
ISSN: 0167-7012
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: Dnr 2575-120
CONTRACT_GRANT: Dnr 2575-117
CONTRACT_GRANT: N0001482C0-404
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
Non-NASA Center
NASA Discipline Number 61-10
NASA Discipline Life Support Systems

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