Disruption of bacterial cells by a synthetic zeolite

Abstract

The use of a synthetic zeolite (type 4A, Union Carbide Corp., Linde Div., New York, N.Y.) in a procedure for the preparation of pure cell wall fractions proved successful for many gram-positive, gram-negative, and acid-fast bacteria, as well as for some fungi. The technique, however, was found to be limited in effectiveness for Rhodospirillum rubrum, Gaffkya tetragena, and Sarcina lutea, and not applicable to preparations of heat killed microorganisms. The possible mechanisms of zeolite action, together with the effect of the disruptive procedure on the chemical composition of cell wall fragments, were investigated also.