Recent experience with Bacillus spore characterization has demonstrated that carbohydrate content can provide potentially vital bioforensic information. Like other metabolites, the carbohydrate profiles of samples reflect variations in cellular structures as well as presence of residual carbohydrates from the medium found as trace components. The presence and characteristics of residual carbohydrates, such as agar, represent strong indicators of culturing method. The methods to detect residual carbohydrates can be extended to other compounds used in processing and preservation of microbes in a dry form.
Revised: November 27, 2012 |
Published: January 1, 2012
Citation
Wunschel D.S., and A. Fox. 2012.Carbohydrate markers of organism purity and growth environment. In Chemical and Physical Signatures for Microbial Forensics, edited by JB Cliff, et al. 53-60. New York, New York:Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.PNNL-SA-62350.