The Survival of Washed Suspensions of Mycoplasma

Abstract

SUMMARY: Washed Mycoplasma organisms died rapidly when suspended in 0·85 % (w/v) NaCl prepared in laboratory ‘distilled’ water (steam condensate) at room temperature; this rapid killing was decreased by adding to the suspensions certain chelating agents, reducing agents or finely ground manganese dioxide. Washed organisms survived well in potassium phosphate (K2HPO4, 0·01 m adjusted to pH 7) dissolved in good quality ‘ deionized’ water at 2–4°. The quality of the water used was very important.