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Ultrasound Increases the Rate of Bacterial Cell Growth
Author(s) -
Pitt William G.,
Ross S. Aaron
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
biotechnology progress
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.572
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1520-6033
pISSN - 8756-7938
DOI - 10.1021/bp0340685
Subject(s) - ultrasound , growth rate , bacteria , staphylococcus epidermidis , escherichia coli , bacterial growth , chemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , biophysics , cell , staphylococcus aureus , food science , biology , biochemistry , medicine , genetics , geometry , mathematics , gene , radiology
Ultrasound was employed to increase the growth rate of bacterial cells attached to surfaces. Staphylococcus epidermidis , Pseudomonas aeruginosa , and Escherichia coli cells adhered to and grew on a polyethylene surface in the presence of ultrasound. It was found that low‐frequency ultrasound (70 kHz) of low acoustic intensity (<2 W/cm 2 ) increased the growth rate of the cells compared to growth without ultrasound. However, at high intensity levels, cells were partially removed from the surface. Ultrasound also enhanced planktonic growth of S. epidermidis and other planktonic bacteria. It is hypothesized that ultrasound increases the rate of transport of oxygen and nutrients to the cells and increases the rate of transport of waste products away from the cells, thus enhancing their growth.