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Hydrophobic characteristics ofBacillus spores

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Abstract

Spores from severalBacillus species displayed a strong affinity for hexadecane and other hydrophobic solvents. The binding ofBacillus subtilis spore suspensions to octyl-Sepharose was enhanced by ammonium sulfate and other salts, but was inhibited by detergents. Treatment of spore suspensions with strong denaturants promoted their adherence to hexadecane, presumably by exposing hydrophobic residues in coat proteins. The hydrophobic characteristics of spores may be important in the ecological adaptation of certain bacteria.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Louisville, Health Sciences Center, 40292, Louisville, Kentucky, USA

    Ronald J. Doyle, Fariborz Nedjat-Haiem & Jyoti S. Singh

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  1. Ronald J. Doyle
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  2. Fariborz Nedjat-Haiem
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  3. Jyoti S. Singh
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Doyle, R.J., Nedjat-Haiem, F. & Singh, J.S. Hydrophobic characteristics ofBacillus spores. Current Microbiology 10, 329–332 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01626560

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01626560

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