Effects of ultrasonic radiation on Escherichia coli: spectrophotometric studies

Abstract

The heritably altered staining property of E. coli B with vital fluorochrome acridine orange after exposure to ultrasonic radiation is studied spectrophotometrically in the visible and ultraviolet regions. Sustained absorption spectral shifts are observed for bacterial suspensions in vivo immediately after ultrasonic treatment and subsequent staining in the visible and without staining in the ultraviolet regions. An increased uptake of the dye has also been observed after treatment. However, it is observed that the viability is substantially retained and there is no indication of any change in the growth rate or nutritional requirements. The possible role of the nucleic acids in these observed spectral shifts, the significance of these results and their genetic implications are discussed.