IDENTIFICATION OF SOME BACTERIAL-CELL COMPONENTS BY FT-IR SPECTROSCOPY

Some particular cell components can be detected and identified by Four ier Transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) of intact bacteria. Typica l marker bands were used to identify these bacterial cell components. Polypeptide capsules were detected in several Bacillus species by a ba nd typical for alpha-helical structures and by strong carboxylate stre tching vibrations. Formation of endospores in clostridia and bacilli w as discovered using marker bands for dipicolinic acid. Spectra of some Bacillus strains showed expression of poly-beta-hydroxybutyric acid g ranules, capsules and endospores simultaneously.