Bacteria, antibiotics and amino Acid incorporation into maize endosperm protein bodies

The incorporation of C¹⁴-leucine into protein bodies isolated from developing maize endosperm was studied. Protein bodies which incorporated significant amounts of C¹⁴-leucine were found to be contaminated with bacteria, while protein bodies prepared with sterile techniques incorporated C¹⁴-leucine at very low rates.

Streptomycin, penicillin, puromycin, and actinomycin did not completely inhibit the bacterial incorporation, while chloramphenicol was an effective inhibitor.