On methods of detection of extraterrestrial life.
New methods have been developed for detecting microbial growth from the microflora of desert soils. The first is a polarimetric method in which the fall in optical activity due to assimilation of D-glucose is followed. Detectable changes with desert soils were seen in a few hours, and the method can be employed with small amounts of material. The second method is the release of heat from metabolizable substrates as measured by a microcalorimeter. In the presence of glucose a characteristic response from desert soils was found within 24 hours.
Imshenetsky
A A
AA
Institute of Microbiology, USSR Academy of Sciences, Moscow, USSR.
Evdokimova
M D
MD
Sotnikov
G G
GG
D003470:Culture Media; D003889:Desert Climate; D018559:Exobiology / Q000379:methods*; D005118:Extraterrestrial Environment; D005557:Formaldehyde; D005947:Glucose; D012988:Soil Microbiology; D013644:Tartrates
D003470:Culture Media; D013644:Tartrates; D005557:Formaldehyde; D005947:Glucose; C029768:tartaric acid