THE SURFACE-CHARGE OF CELLS OF MYCOBACTERIUM-BOVIS BCG VACCINE, TICE SUBSTRAIN

  • 1 January 1988
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 53  (216-17) , 191-195
Abstract
The zeta potential of cells of an attenuated vaccine Mycobacterium bovis, BCG, Tice substrain, was measured over a PH range of 1.5-11.0 at low electroyte concentration. There was a marked electo-positive charge at low pH, the zero charge point, pH 4.4, being similar for viable and heat killed vaccine. At pH 6.5 the addition of sodium dodecyl sulphate or sodium tauroglycolate made little difference to the zeta potential. However, progressive addition of cetylpyridinium chloride reduced and finally reversed the charge to a maximum of + 60 mV at a concentration of 1.5 .times. 10-2 mol dm-3 surfactant. Higher concentrations reduced the charge although it remained positive. The nature of the absorbing species on the cell surface is discussed since the Tice substrain has both cationic and anionic surface charge whereas the Glaxo strainis reported to only possess electro-negative phosphate surface groups. Some hydrophobic interaction involving lipid within the surface may also be involved.

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