Drag reduction by Acinetobacter calcoaceticus BD4.
The encapsulated bacterium Acinetobacter calcoaceticus BD4 at a density of 3.6 X 10(9) cells per ml reduced the friction of turbulent water in a narrow pipe by 55%. This drag reduction was due to the tightly bound polysaccharide capsules (0.4 mg per ml) of culture. Capsule-deficient mutants of BD4 failed to reduce drag. The cell-bound polysaccharide demonstrated a threefold-higher drag-reducing activity than the polymer which was free in solution.
Sar
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Department of Microbiology, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Israel.
Rosenberg
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E
D000150:Acinetobacter / Q000502:physiology*; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial / Q000502:physiology*
D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial