Photosynthetic activity of cyanobacteria in water-in-oil microemulsions.
The solubilization and the photosynthetic activity of cyanobacteria (Anabaena variabilis) in water-in-oil microemulsions consisting of (Tween85/Span80)/hexadecane/water is investigated. Transparent and stable solutions containing up to 10(8) cells/mL could be obtained. The physical state and stability of the cells in the microemulsion, as evidenced from optical and electron microscopy, is dependent upon the physical parameters of the system, and in particular on the hydrophilic-lypophilic balance (HLB) of the surfactant system. Conditions could be found, under which the cells in the microemulsion system display photosynthetic activity This was judged by measuring polarographically the oxygen evolution and by studying the photosynthetic activity in the presence of specific inhibitors.
Famiglietti
M
M
Institut für Polymere, ETH-Zürich, Universitätserasse 6, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland.
Hochköppler
A
A
Wehrli
E
E
Luisi
P L
PL