EXTRACTION OF BACTERIA WITH PHENOL/WATER,

Abstract

Two simple procedures are reported for the extraction of bacteria with phenol/water. After gram-negative bacteria are treated with phenol/water emulsions for a few minutes, chilled, the somatic glycoproteides (principally O antigens) are obtained in the watery phase in practically 100% yield. After extraction of the bacteria with warmed, homogeneous phenol/water mixtures and separation of the phases under refrigeration the protein-free polysaccharides are found together with the nucleic acids in the watery phase. Some chemical and immunological characteristics of the glycoproteides and polysaccharides obtained by the two procedures are described. (Author)