Many authors claim that, the preferential use of potassium dihydrogen phosphate could be attributed to the lower monovalent cations (K+) that may enhance cellular transport and membrane depolarization of bacterial cells" I need anyone who can explain the possible reasons for low activity of sodium salts as Na+ ions are also present in cell membrane and perform similar kind of functions.
I do not think that this is connected to phosphate as such. First of all bacteria have to accumulate potassium inside the cell. Depending on the osmolarity of the medium, they need high (0.15-1 M ) intracellular K+ concentration. It is easier to accumulate K+ when the extracellular concentration of this ion is higher. Microbial media usually contain potassium phosphate and sodium chloride. But it is possible to change to NaPi and KCl, if you wish. Just you have to adjust the pH of the medium after such change.
I cannot comment on the detailed physiological function of the bacterial cellular membrane, and I do not know for what purpose you are buffering your bacterial suspensions, but I have proven to myself many times that buffers are no better than distilled water at preserving chemoorganotrophic bacterial viability over times less than thirty minutes. Some buffers actually kill bacteria faster than distilled water.
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Biological Science
- Microbiology
- Microorganisms
- Bacteria