RAPID METHOD FOR DETERMINING THE ACTIVITY OF MICROORGAN-ISMS ON NUCLEIC ACIDS

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Abstract
The procedure consists of streaking agar plates containing 2 mg nucleic acid per ml of medium. The assay for activity is achieved by flooding the plate with 1 N HC1. A positive reaction is indicated by a clear zone adjacent to the colony, the undigested nucleic acid being precipitated by this treatment. Nuclease activity is dependent upon pH and temperature. Results of a survey of a limited number of strains from 10 genera of bacteria and fungi are presented. Positive results are given by species of the genera Bacillus, Streptomyces, Serratia, Penicillium, Aspergillus and Achromobacter.