Effect of Clay Particle Size on Clay-Escherichia coli-Bacteriophage Interactions

Abstract
The effects of different particle-size fractions of a montmorillonite on the E. coli-bacteriophage interaction were investigated at high and low electrolyte concentrations. Almost complete protection of E. coli from phage attack was provided by the fine particles. Particles with an effective spherical diameter greater than 0.6 .mu.m did not protect E. coli from phage lysis. The electrolyte concentration had little or no effect on the survival of E. coli with particles of different sizes.