Abstract
Different culture conditions, devitalizing treatments, and preservation procedures were tested for the production of protein A-bearing cells ofStaphylococcus aureus ATCC 12598. Native cells with the highest IgG-binding activity were obtained after cultivation at 37°C for 24–48 h in enriched media. Devitalization by ethanol, 1-propanol, formaldehyde, glutardialdehyde, chloramine T, and by heat, reduced the protein A activity depending on the duration of treatment. The protein A content of devitalized cells were best preserved by storage at −20°C or by lyophilization. Staphylococcal preparations with a stable IgG-binding activity of 20 mg/g bacteria, which are very suitable for coagglutination tests, were produced by culture in TSB medium, followed by devitalization with 1-propanol and lyophilization.