Study of permeabilization of bacterial membrane by electrochemical methods

Publication date: Available online 14 December 2019Source: Journal of Electroanalytical ChemistryAuthor(s): Martina Čierna, Monika Naumowicz, Lucia Birošová, Ján Krahulec, Romana Sokolová, Viliam Kolivoška, Táňa Sebechlebská, Filip Kielar, Miroslav GálAbstractSelected electrochemical methods for the determination of possible membrane permeabilization in two Escherichia coli bacterial strains were examined. Escherichia coli, a gram-negative rod-shaped bacterium, is an important component of the mammalian intestinal microflora. However, some strains of this bacterium are pathogenic and can cause a variety of diseases. Partial aim of this work was to identify β-galactosidase enzyme as one of the possible factors characterizing disintegration of bacterial membrane. To permeabilize the bacterial membrane, cathelicidin LL-37, the body's own antimicrobial peptide, and membrane degradation by microwave radiation were used. In the investigation of structural changes in the bacterial membrane, square-wave voltammetry and chronopotentiometric dissolution analysis in combination with the mercury drop electrode and the glassy carbon electrode were used. UV/VIS spectrophotometry was used to indirectly track changes in bacterial cell structure.
Source: Journal of Electroanalytical Chemistry - Category: Chemistry Source Type: research