Subject bacteria species

The results for bacterial whole-cell analysis described here establish the utility of MALDI-FTMS for mass spectral analysis of whole-cell bacteria and (potentially) more complex single-celled organisms. The use of MALDI-measured accurate mass values combined with mass defect plots is rapid, accurate, and simpler in sample preparation then conventional liquid chromatographic methods for bacterial lipid analysis. Intact cell MALDI-FTMS bacterial lipid characterization complements the use of proteomics profiling by mass spectrometry because it relies on accurate mass measurements of chemical species that are not subject to posttranslational modification or proteolytic degradation. 

Lactose is readily fermented by lactic acid bacteria, especially Lactococcus spp. and Lactobacillus spp., to lactic acid, and by some species of yeast, e.g. Kluyveromyces spp., to ethanol (Figure 2.27). Lactic acid may be used as a food acidulant, as a component in the manufacture of plastics, or converted to ammonium lactate as a source of nitrogen for animal nutrition. It can be converted to propionic acid, which has many food applications, by Propionibacterium spp. Potable ethanol is being produced commercially from lactose in whey or UF permeate. The ethanol may also be used for industrial purposes or as a fuel but is probably not cost-competitive with ethanol produced by fermentation of sucrose or chemically. The ethanol may also be oxidized to acetic acid. The mother liquor remaining from the production of lactic acid or ethanol may be subjected to anaerobic digestion with the production of methane (CH4) for use as a fuel several such plants are in commercial use. 

The larger part of research on light-driven eleetron transfer in purple photosynthetic bacteria has involved three speeies, Rhodopseudomonas (Rps.) viridis, Rhodobacter (Rb.) sphaeroides and Rb. capsulatus. The bulk of this article is written in reference to the Rb. sphaeroides reaetion eentre, the subject of the majority of spectroscopic and mutagenesis work earried out to date. However, much of the research described below has involved the reaction centre from Rb. capsulatus or Rps. viridis, or reaetion eentres from other species of purple bacteria. 

For example, the use of pathogens is an important part of the pest control program for Japanese beetles. Japanese beetles are subject to attack by two naturally occurring species of bacteria which cause the fatal milky disease. Preparations containing spores of the contagious bacteria are produced commercially and released in infested areas. 

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