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New method for estimating bacterial cell abundances in natural samples by use of sublimationWe have developed a new method based on the sublimation of adenine from Escherichia coli to estimate bacterial cell counts in natural samples. To demonstrate this technique, several types of natural samples, including beach sand, seawater, deep-sea sediment, and two soil samples from the Atacama Desert, were heated to a temperature of 500 degrees C for several seconds under reduced pressure. The sublimate was collected on a cold finger, and the amount of adenine released from the samples was then determined by high-performance liquid chromatography with UV absorbance detection. Based on the total amount of adenine recovered from DNA and RNA in these samples, we estimated bacterial cell counts ranging from approximately 10(5) to 10(9) E. coli cell equivalents per gram. For most of these samples, the sublimation-based cell counts were in agreement with total bacterial counts obtained by traditional DAPI (4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole) staining.
Document ID
20050149825
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Glavin, Daniel P.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD United States)
Cleaves, H. James
Schubert, Michael
Aubrey, Andrew
Bada, Jeffrey L.
Date Acquired
August 23, 2013
Publication Date
October 1, 2004
Publication Information
Publication: Applied and environmental microbiology
Volume: 70
Issue: 10
ISSN: 0099-2240
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
Evaluation Studies

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