Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “microorganisms”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 253 records · Page 14
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1972

Cytochemical studies of planetary microorganisms - Explorations in exobiology

Analytical methodology using gas chromatography and mass spectrography for improved physiological monitoring of astronauts is developed. Reported research covers the following topics: (1) Chlorination of DNA bases; (2) mass fragmentography; (3) mass spectrometry; (4) urine analysis for metabolic constituents; (5) analysis of natural products by mass spectrometry; (6) computer identification of unknown molecular compounds; (7) fluorescent sorter for cell separation; (8) Mariner Mars 1971 orbital photography; and (9) Viking Lander imagery.

Lederberg, J.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Automatic instrument for chemical processing to detect microorganism in biological samples by measuring light reactions

An automated apparatus is reported for sequentially assaying urine samples for the presence of bacterial adenosine triphosphate (ATP) that comprises a rotary table which carries a plurality of sample containing vials and automatically dispenses fluid reagents into the vials preparatory to injecting a light producing luciferase-luciferin mixture into the samples. The device automatically measures the light produced in each urine sample by a bioluminescence reaction of the free bacterial adenosine triphosphate with the luciferase-luciferin mixture. The light measured is proportional to the concentration of bacterial adenosine triphosphate which, in turn, is proportional to the number of bacteria present in the respective urine sample.

Kelbaugh, B. N.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Survival of infectious microorganisms in space cabin environments

Aerosol survival and virulence of S. aureus and P. aeruginosa cultures isolated during exposure to simulated space cabin environment was studied using the microthread captured aerosol technique. The aerosol survival of P. aeruginosa isolates did not differ significantly from that of the original culture from which the isolates were obtained. The mean death rate of the isolates was 1.03%/min and that of the controls 1.10%/min. Similarly exposure to the 5 psi environment did not affect the virulence of P. aeruginosa. Both strains of S. aureus (IITRI and NASA) after exposure to 5 psi environment showed some degree of adaptation to this environmental stress. The aerosol death rates of the isolated organisms were 5 to 10-fold lower than of the original cultures. At the same time the virulence of the isolates was approximately 5-fold higher than that of the original culture.

Vana, S. C.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Plating isolation of various catalase-negative microorganisms from soil

A unique plating procedure was developed that allows isolation, but not enumeration, of representatives of the catalase-negative soil microflora. The numbers recovered, however, are low as compared to the numbers recovered when the modified dilution-to-extinction isolation procedure is used. The latter procedure provides prolonged inoculation in sealed tubes containing a nutritionally rich broth medium over small submerged agar slants. In contrast, the plating procedure utilizes nutritionally minimal media and the shorter incubations mandated by the inherent problems associated with plating.

Labeda, D. P.↗
NASA NTRS1975

A comparison of certain extracting agents for extraction of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) from microorganisms for use in the firefly luciferase ATP assay

Firefly luciferase ATP assay is used in clinical and industrial applications, such as determination of urinary infection levels, microbial susceptibility testing, and monitoring of yeast levels in beverages. Three categories of extractants were investigated for their extracting efficiency. They were ionizing organic solvents, nonionizing organic solvents, and inorganic acids. Dimethylsulfoxide and formamide represented the ionizing organic solvents, while n-butanol, chloroform, ethanol, acetone, and methylene chloride were used for the nonionizing organic solvents. Nitric acid and perchloric acid were chosen for the inorganic acids category. Pathogens were tested with each solvent. They included: Saccharomyces carlsbergensis, E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter species, Proteus mirabilis, Proteus vulgaris, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans. These results are shown in graphic representations.

Knust, E. A.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Response of selected microorganisms to experimental planetary environments

The anaerobic utilization of phosphite or phosphine and the significance of this conversion to potential contamination of Jupiter were investigated. A sporeforming organism was isolated from Cape Canaveral soil which anaerobically converts hypophosphite to phosphate. This conversion coincides with an increase in turbidity of the culture and with phosphate accumulation in the medium. Investigations of omnitherms (organisms which grow over a broad temperature range, i.e. 3 -55 C were also conducted. The cellular morphology of 28 of these isolates was investigated, and all were demonstrated to be sporeformers. Biochemical characterizations are also presented. Procedures for replicate plating were evaluated, and those results are also presented. The procedures for different replicate-plating techniques are presented, and these are evaluated on the basis of reproducibility, percentage of viable transfer, and ease of use. Standardized procedures for the enumeration of microbial populations from ocean-dredge samples from Cape Canaveral are also presented.

Foster, T. L.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Response of selected microorganisms to experimental planetary environments

Results are presented on the anaerobic conversion of phosphite to phosphate. It is demonstrated that in the presence of both phosphite and hypophosphite, the phosphite is the preferred phosphorous source. An investigation in which P-32 labeled hypophosphite was added to the basal medium demonstrates that the labeled hypophosphite was incorporated into the metabolic reactions of the cell. Other data show that as cell growth occurs, the phosphite and/or hypophosphite levels decrease. The Bacillus sp. capable of anaerobic utilization of phosphite was isolated from Cape Canaveral soil samples, and it is partially characterized. Also included are continued investigations of omnitherms. The data presented show that some of these possess significant resistance to the Viking dry-heat cycle, and that they retain their omnithermic characteristic after recovery from the heat cycle. Other physiological characteristics of these isolates are also presented. It is demonstrated that omnitherms can be isolated from Cape Canaveral soil.

Foster, T. L.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Response of Selected Microorganisms to Experimental Planetary Environments

Results of studies in anaerobic phosphorus metabolism are presented. Specific topics discussed include: (1) anaerobic utilization of PH3; (2) reduction of phosphate or phosphite; (3) isolation of organisms which utilize phosphite or phosphate anaerobically as a final hydrogen acceptor; and (4) the toxicity of PH3 to the organisms. Techniques of anaerobic microbiology associated with space hardware were also studied. These include: (1) the Brewer anaerobe jar/GasPak system; (2) a new procedure to grow aerobes and anaerobes simultaneously; (3) a culture medium to differentiate oblagate from facultative anaerobes; and (4) a procedure to quantitate O2 sensitivity of anaerobes.

Foster, T. L.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Response of terrestrial microorganisms to a simulated Martian environment

Soil samples from Cape Canaveral were subjected to a simulated Martian environment and assayed periodically over 45 days to determine the effect of various environmental parameters on bacterial populations. The simulated environment was based on the most recent available data, prior to the Viking spacecraft, describing Martian conditions and consisted of a pressure of 7 millibars, an atmosphere of 99.9% CO2 and 0.1% O2, a freeze-thaw cycle of -65 C for 16 h and 24 C for 8 h, and variable moisture and nutrients. Reduced pressure had a significant effect, reducing growth under these conditions. Slight variations in gaseous composition of the simulated atmosphere had negligible effect on growth. The freeze-thaw cycle did not inhibit growth, but did result in a slower rate of decline after growth had occurred. Dry samples exhibited no change during the 45-day experiment, indicating that the simulated Martian environment was not toxic to bacterial populations. Psychrotrophic organisms responded more favorably to this environment than mesophiles, although both types exhibited increases of approximately 3 logs in 7 to 14 days when moisture and nutrients were available.

Foster, T. L.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Cytochemical studies of planetary microorganisms explorations in exobiology

Experiments to identify free living organisms in soils that may be substantially simpler in genetic content, and mirroring a more primitive stage of evolution than the species with which we are familiar to date, were designed. Organic chemical studies on the composition and disposition of elementary carbon leave nothing wanting as an aboriginal substrate for the original of life and early chemical evolution. Such studies were missed when it came to the interpretation of the Viking lander data, and needed for conceptual planning of future planetary missions.

Levinthal, E. C.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Response of selected microorganisms to experimental planetary environments

Anaerobic and aerobic sporeformers and non-sporeformers were cultivated anaerobically in nutrient media under various pressures (up to 1800 psi) of pure H2, CH4, NH3, and H2S. Viability assays were performed periodically to determine growth, survival, or spore survival. Hydrogen up to 1800 psi demonstrated little or no suppression of growth with the possible exception of Bacillus coagulans at 1800 psi. The obligate anaerobes grew very well. Under CH4 the obligate anaerobes again exhibited the most prolific growth, whereas the facultative anaerobes grew well except under higher pressures. Ammonia at low pressure was extremely toxic to all test organisms. At 100 psi all populations were killed within 24 hours except Staphylococcus aureus which survived for 72 hours and the Bacillus spp. which produced a surviving population of approximately 10,000 spores/ml. All populations in H2S were killed within 24 to 48 hours except Proteus mirabilis which decreased to 100 cells/ml and the Bacillus spp. Spore survival studies of two months duration demonstrated that B. coagulans and B. pumilus survived under all experimental conditions. Clostridium novyi type B and C. sporogenes were killed rapidly in NH3 and H2S and demonstrated no sporulation.

Foster, T. L.↗