Authors: Theis, Thomas L.; Moye, David A.

Source: Chemical Speciation and Bioavailability, Volume 12, Number 1, February 2000 , pp. 27-33(7)

Publisher: Science Reviews 2000 Ltd

Abstract:

Studies were carried out on Luria Bertani (LB) nutrient broth, typical of growth media used to grow strains of luminescent bacteria such as E. coli pCulux, in order to ascertain the chemical speciation of added copper and infer the effect of speciation on luminescent response. Both acid-base and complexometric (with Cu) titrations were conducted. Data were analyzed using the binding spectrum approach in which the concentration and pK value of the reactions of interest are estimated. Results of acid-base titration indicated that LB contains both inorganic and a suite of organic functional groups, the latter probably associated with proteins and amino acids contained in the materials used in making the medium. Titration with cupric ion suggested the presence of two copper-binding groups for freshly prepared LB, but three groups for media in which the bacteria had been allowed to grow for several hours, indicating either the introduction of a Cu-binding substance associated with microbial metabolism, or the ability to detect a weaker binding group as the concentrations of the other groups declined during degradation. Organic-Cu complexes dominate the computed speciation of Cu in these systems. Interpretation of luminescence in such systems is complicated by temporal changes in ligand type and concentration, and differential complexation of Cu by differing ligands. If free cupric ion is assumed to be the activating form for luminescence, these results indicate that the bacteria are approximately six orders more sensitive in detecting Cu than results based on total Cu alone.

Keywords: copper; speciation; cupric ion; bioluminosity; Luria bertani broth

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3184/095422900782775599

Affiliations: 1: Center for Environmental Management, W.J. Rowley Laboratories, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY 13699-5715, USA

Publication date: 2000-02-10

More about this publication?

• Chemical Speciation & Bioavailability covers a rapidly expanding area in environmental science.

  Research on the interactions between the chemical forms and behaviour of toxic compounds and their subsequent biological uptake, metabolism and ecological fate involves many scientific fields. These studies are often published in discipline-specific journals, leading to inadequate review and information scatter. This situation hinders both the development of an international community of experienced colleagues and the open flow of information and discussion. Additionally, the importance of speciation and bioavailability research to the development of pollution law and control technologies is being increasingly appreciated by environmental regulatory agencies throughout the world.

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