ABSTRACT
Electron-microscopic studies using thin sections revealed that methane-producing bacteria were an ultrastructurally diverse group. Fine structure and morphological characteristics separated these bacteria into four discrete cell types. Methanogenic bacteria displayed a gram-positive cell wall that varied considerably among different cell types. Differences in granular inclusions, reserve materials, and intracytoplasmic membranes were observed. Unique ultrastructural features were not shared by all methanogenic species studies.
Subject(s)
Bacteria/ultrastructure , Micrococcaceae/ultrastructure , Bacteria/metabolism , Cell Division , Cell Membrane/ultrastructure , Cell Wall/ultrastructure , Cytoplasmic Granules/ultrastructure , Methane/biosynthesis , Micrococcaceae/metabolism , Microscopy, Electron , Microscopy, Phase-Contrast , Species SpecificityABSTRACT
The fine structure of Methanospirillum hungatii was studied by electron microscopy. The topography of the cell wall and the mechanism of cell division are not typical of gram-positive or gram-negative bacteria. A novel architectural arrangement of cells in continuous spiral filaments is described. Filamentous cells are connected by spacers and enclosed within a rigid outer envelope. The unique ultrastructural features of cells and cell spacers were examined.
Subject(s)
Bacteria/ultrastructure , Anaerobiosis , Bacteria/growth & development , Cell Division , Cell Membrane/ultrastructure , Cell Wall/ultrastructure , Cytoplasm/ultrastructure , Cytoplasmic Granules/ultrastructure , Glycogen , Models, Structural , Phosphotungstic Acid , Staining and LabelingABSTRACT
Toxin production by Clostridium botulinum was inhibited by sodium nitrite levels above 50 mug/g of wiener. Sodium ascorbate at levels of 105 and 655 mug/g of product did not decrease the effectiveness of the sodium nitrite inhibition, nor did sodium ascorbate potentiate it. The results indicate that the use of sodium ascorbate in vacuum-packaged wieners does not appreciably alter the inhibition of C. botulinum toxin formation by sodium nitrite.
