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Use of an ammonia electrode to study bacterial deamination of amino acids with special reference to d-asparagine breakdown by campylobacters

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 October 2009

M. A. Karmali ,
A. Williams ,
P. C. Fleming ,
C. Krishnan  and
M. M. Wood
M. A. Karmali
Affiliation:
Departments of Bacteriology and Biostatistics and the Research Institute, the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada, M5G 1X8, and the Department of Microbiology, the University of Toronto
A. Williams
Affiliation:
Departments of Bacteriology and Biostatistics and the Research Institute, the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada, M5G 1X8, and the Department of Microbiology, the University of Toronto
P. C. Fleming
Affiliation:
Departments of Bacteriology and Biostatistics and the Research Institute, the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada, M5G 1X8, and the Department of Microbiology, the University of Toronto
C. Krishnan
Affiliation:
Departments of Bacteriology and Biostatistics and the Research Institute, the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada, M5G 1X8, and the Department of Microbiology, the University of Toronto
M. M. Wood
Affiliation:
Departments of Bacteriology and Biostatistics and the Research Institute, the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada, M5G 1X8, and the Department of Microbiology, the University of Toronto
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Summary

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A method using an ammonia electrode is being developed for investigating the deamination of amino acids and amides by bacteria. Application of this method to Campylobacter jejuni and C. coli has led to the demonstration of d-asparaginase activity in some strains. This has allowed the subdivision of both species into d-asparaginase-positive and -negative biotypes. Even though the method is in the developmental stage, it was found to be generally reproducible and easy to perform. Areas for further improving the procedure have been identified. The ammonia electrode offers the theoretical possibility of investigating the breakdown of any amino acid by bacteria. It thus opens up a new and practical approach for separating species and strains, particularly in those bacterial groups that are difficult to subdivide by conventional means.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Hygiene , Volume 93 , Issue 2 , October 1984 , pp. 189 - 196
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1984

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