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The Osmoprotective Properties of Urine for Bacteria: The Protective Effect of Betaine and Human Urine Against Low pH and High Concentrations of Electrolytes, Sugars, and Urea
- Source :
- Journal of Infectious Diseases. 152:1308-1316
- Publication Year :
- 1985
- Publisher :
- Oxford University Press (OUP), 1985.
-
Abstract
- Growth of Escherichia coli was inhibited in a defined minimal medium by high concentrations of electrolytes and sugars in direct relation to their osmotic strength. Choline, betaine, proline, and human urine increased resistance to these substances. In contrast, the toxic effect of urea was not altered directly by betaine or urine, but was reduced in the presence of other osmolytes. The osmolyte protective effect was augmented by betaine. The osmoprotective effect of betaine and urine was confirmed with 40 strains of enteric bacteria. Urine from 19 healthy subjects contained osmoprotective activity greater than that observed with betaine. A methanol extract of urine was found to be highly protective. Although betaine was present in the extract, it could not account for all the protective activity. Urine contains additional low-molecular-weight osmoprotective agents.
- Subjects :
- Male
Serratia
Lactams
Proline
Carbohydrates
Enterobacter
Microbial Sensitivity Tests
Urine
Sodium Chloride
Osmosis
Choline
Electrolytes
chemistry.chemical_compound
Betaine
Klebsiella
Escherichia coli
Humans
Urea
Immunology and Allergy
biology
Osmolar Concentration
Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
biology.organism_classification
Anti-Bacterial Agents
Culture Media
Infectious Diseases
Biochemistry
chemistry
Osmolyte
Bacteria
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 15376613 and 00221899
- Volume :
- 152
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Journal of Infectious Diseases
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....fb6ac07c087e8d30093f828584bfb1a6