NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
Determination of the gram-positive bacterial content of soils and sediments by analysis of teichoic acid componentsMany gram-positive bacteria form substituted polymers of glycerol and ribitol phosphate esters known as teichoic acids. Utilizing the relative specificity of cold concentrated hydrofluoric acid in the hydrolysis of polyphosphate esters it proved possible to quantitatively assay the teichoic acid-derived glycerol and ribitol from gram-positive bacteria added to various soils and sediments. The lipids are first removed from the soils or sediments with a one phase chloroform-methanol extraction and the lipid extracted residue is hydrolyzed with cold concentrated hydrofluoric acid. To achieve maximum recovery of the teichoic acid ribitol, a second acid hydrolysis of the aqueous extract is required. The glycerol and ribitol are then acetylated after neutralization and analyzed by capillary gas-liquid chromatography. This technique together with measures of the total phospholipid, the phospholipid fatty acid, the muramic acid and the hydroxy fatty acids of the lipopolysaccharide lipid A of the gram-negative bacteria makes it possible to describe the community structure environmental samples. The proportion of gram-positive bacteria measured as the teichoic acid glycerol and ribitol is higher in soils than in sediments and increases with depth in both.
Document ID
20040120811
Acquisition Source
Ames Research Center
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Gehron, M. J.
(Florida State University Tallahassee 32306, United States)
Davis, J. D.
Smith, G. A.
White, D. C.
Date Acquired
August 22, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1984
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of microbiological methods
Volume: 2
ISSN: 0167-7012
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG2-149
CONTRACT_GRANT: CR8099402-0
CONTRACT_GRANT: N0001482C0-404
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

Available Downloads

There are no available downloads for this record.
No Preview Available