BOOK REVIEW

Insect Dormancy: an ecological perspective: H. V. Danks. Biological Survey of Canada (Terrestrial Anthropods) 1987. pp 439. Can$50.     

Inhibition of the Indole Test Reaction by Sodium Nitrite

Sodium nitrite formed by nitrate reduction produced a false-negative reaction in the detection of indole formation when both tests were conducted in one medium.     

Spherical and rod shaped protoplasts from β-lactam antibiotic treated cultures of Bacillus subtilis

Abstract Addition of β-lactams to exponentially growing cultures of an autolytically deficient Bacillus subtilis met c3 lyt -2 strain FJ6 caused increase in optical density to stop after 1 h when it had about doubled, and thereafter to remain constant for at least 6 h. The number of protoplasts to be derived per unit dry weight of bacteria started to fall when the antibiotic was added and after 1 h had reached 50% of the initial value. Also during the first hour but after a lag of 20–30 min an increasing number of membrane bound rod shaped protoplasts were seen among the normal spherical ones. These swelled to spheres and ultimately burst if the concentration of sucrose in the suspending fluid was gradually reduced. These results would be best explained by rapid inhibition of initiation of cell division followed by membrane damage to an increasing proportion of cells.     

The effect of temperature on the kinetics of ethanol production by Saccharomyces uvarum

Summary In view of the interest in high productivity fermentations at increased temperatures, the effect of temperature on the kinetics of ethanol production by Saccharomyces uvarum was investigated in the range 25–43°C. Using a mathematical model and a nonlinear computer simulation package, the kinetic parameters at each temperature were estimated. It was found that the optimal temperature for growth was 34°C, while the specific ethanol production rate was maximal at 37–43°C. Up to 37°C, the inhibitory effects of ethanol on growth and specific ethanol production rate were unaffected by temperature. However, above this temperature, ethanol inhibition increased significantly.     

A simplified procedure for the isolation of pig kidney D-amino acid oxidase.

A simple, quick procedure for the isolation of pig kidney d-amino acid oxidase [EC 1.4.3.3; d-amino acid:oxygen oxidoreductase (deaminating)] is described based upon the use of granulated hydroxylapatite for chromatography. The purity appears to be comparable to that obtained by other procedures. The holoenzyme was isolated as the benzoate complex.