title: Photon emission by bacteria challenged with phenylacetaldehyde. A possible distinction between gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.
abstract: With all bacteria tested, addition of phenylacetaldehyde leads to light emission. The latter is markedly stronger with gram-negative bacteria, presumably because they possess a thinner wall and an extra external lipophilic membrane. Consistent with this explanation, the bactericidal effect of phenylacetaldehyde is also stronger with gram-negative bacteria. The spectrum of the emitted light shows maximal emission in the 500 nm region and is very similar to that observed when a protein (bovine serum albumin), free amino acids or isopropylamine reacts with phenylacetaldehyde.
authors: Department of Biochemistry, Instituto de Química, Universidade de Sao Paulo.
authors: M J
authors: MJ
authors: Surpili
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Faljoni-Alario
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Cilento
mesh_terms: D000079:Acetaldehyde / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000145:classification / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria / Q000145:classification / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008163:Luminescent Measurements; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000187:drug effects; D011827:Radiation; D012486:Salmonella typhimurium / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000079:Acetaldehyde; C013192:phenylacetaldehyde