EVALUATION OF ACRIDINE ORANGE FLUORESCENCE TEST IN VIABILITY STUDIES ON ESCHERICHIA COLI

Abstract

Cultures of Escherichia coli subjected to various treatments were studied for their viability loss, as well as for the changes in fluorescent response on staining with the fluorochrome acridine orange. The treatments employed were irradiation with gamma rays (two different dose rates), beta rays, and ultraviolet rays; thermal shock; thymine starvation; and streptomycin inhibition. Marked deviations from "Strugger effect" are seen. The differences in response observed at different dose rates of irradiation are discussed.