Microcalorimetric study on the growth and metabolism of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

作者：Lago N; Legido J L; Paz Andrade M I; Arias I; Casas L M^*

来源：Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry, 2011, 105(2): 651-655.

DOI：10.1007/s10973-010-1175-0

• Microcalorimetry
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa
• Bacteria
• Metabolism

Microcalorimetry is an experimental technique which allows us to precisely measure the energy released as a consequence of any transformation process. All organisms produce heat as a consequence of metabolism. The rate of heat production is an adequate measurement of metabolic activity of organisms and their constituent parts, cells and sub-cellular levels. Microorganisms produce small amounts of heat, in the order of 1-3 pW per cell. Despite the low quantity of heat produced by bacteria, their exponential replication in culture medium allows their detection using microcalorimetry. This study is a microcalorimetric study of the growth and metabolism of the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa, using the heat liberated as a consequence of bacterial metabolism. With this aim, we used a Calvet microcalorimeter, inside which two Teflon screw-capped stainless steel cells were located (sample and reference). Experiments were carried out at final concentrations of 10(6), 10(5), 10(3) and 10 CFU/mL, and a constant temperature of 309.65 K was maintained within the microcalorimeter. Recording the difference in calorific potential over time we obtained P. aeruginosa's growth curves. The shape of these curves is characteristic and has a single phase. Thus, the heat flow curves were mathematically studied to calculate the growth constant and generation time of this bacterium.

• 出版日期2011-8