Open AccessAcceleration of tetrazolium reduction by bacteria
Author(s) -
Raymond C. Bartlett,
Mary F. Mazens,
B. K. Greenfield
Publication year - 1976
Publication title -
journal of clinical microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.349
H-Index - 255
eISSN - 1070-633X
pISSN - 0095-1137
DOI - 10.1128/jcm.3.3.327-329.1976
Subject(s) - tetrazolium chloride , formazan , incubation , agar , bacteria , phenazine , chloride , incubation period , microbiology and biotechnology , chemistry , chromatography , bacterial growth , biology , biochemistry , medicine , organic chemistry , ischemia , genetics , cardiology
Conditions were assessed which would permit more rapid recognition of bacterial growth than has been previously reported using tetrazolium salts. Microtitration trays were used. 2-(p-Iodophenyl)-3(p-nitrophenyl)-5-phenyltetrazolium chloride is rapidly reduced by respiring cells in tissue homogenates but is more toxic than other tetrazoliums when added to growing bacterial cultures. Phenazine methosulfate (PMS), an intermediate electron carrier, potentiates tetrazolium reduction. Growth was readily detected by the addition of these compounds after 3 to 4 h of incubation in Schaedler broth. The final concentration prior to addition to tray wells was 1.0 mg/ml for 2-(p-iodophenyl)-3(p-nitrophenyl)-5-phenyltetrazolium chloride and 0.06 mg/ml for PMS. Addition of 0.5 to 0.8 g of agar per liter of broth enhanced subsequent tetrazolium reduction.