INTERACTION OF BACTERIAL-CELLS WITH WEAK LIGHT-EMISSION FROM CULTURE MEDIA

Chemiluminescence can be observed from almost all objects being subjec t to oxidation reactions. Liquid culture media as they are being used in microbiology may show an emission intensity of up to 10(5) photons/ min cm(3) under aerobic conditions, depending on preparation and compo sition. We report on a very efficient interaction between bacterial ce lls of a wide variety of strains and the mechanisms involved in the ge neration of this ultraweak photon emission, leading to an almost compl ete elimination of the light emission. This new phenomenon seems to be a common behavior, that can be observed with eukaryotic cells and str ains of the Archaea, too, and may be correlated to the varying oxygen tolerance of the strains employed. It is shown that the cell membrane is probably involved in the elimination of the light emission, hinting to the existence of active centers in the membrane. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A.