Journal of General Microbiology · 1963 · 56 citations · 0 references
Life SciencesBiochemistryCell BiologyCarbohydrate BiochemistryColloid ScienceGlycobiologyCarbohydrate AbsorptionCarbohydrate MetabolismGlycan AnalysisPolysaccharide PropertiesCharge-dependent InteractionsFlocculationFlocculation ChemistryParticle FlocculationPolysaccharide-colloid InteractionsSurface Charge ModificationSurface Charge Properties
SUMMARY: Paramecium caudatum has been shown to cause the flocculation of Indian ink particles. Flocculation has been demonstrated to be due to: (a) the secretion of a substance ‘P’, a carbohydrate whose monosaccharide constituents are glucose and arabinose, (b) the ingestion of particles by the cell which are then bound together by a sticky mucoprotein. Substance ‘P’ is adsorbed on to Indian ink particles present, which results in a change of their surface charge and the aggregation into floccules. Substance ‘P’ has been labelled with [14C] glucose which then appeared in the floccules.