Abstract
Numerous observers have reported the adsorption of bacteriophage corpuscles by both electro-positive and electro-negative colloids. D'Herelle in a review of the literature concludes that in an alkaline medium the bacteriophage is adsorbed only by electro-positive colloids and therefore carries a negative charge, a conclusion in agreement with cataphoresis studies. De Necker reported the partial flocculation of the bacteriophage by aluminum hydroxide, an electro-positive sol. When the alumina mass is dissolved by the careful addition of acetic acid the bacteriophage reappears in the liquid. Sommer, Sommer, and Meyer reported the isolation of botulinus toxin by selective adsorption on colloidal aluminum hydroxide, elution with secondary ammonium phosphate, removal of salts by dialysis, and evaporation to dryness at 40° C. Their method was used in the following attempt to purify the bacteriophage. When a suspension of the staphylococcus bacteriophage in Martin's broth (pH 7.8) is stirred with an equal volume of a 3.5% suspension of aluminum hydroxide for one hour the bacteriophage is completely removed from the mother liquor. After washing the precipitate 4 to 6 times with distilled water no bacteriophage corpuscles can be detected in the final wash water. When the precipitate is triturated with a 0.5% solution of secondary ammonium phosphate (pH 8.0) the bacteriophage is liberated and can be separated from the alumina by centrifugation or filtration. The final procedure adopted is as follows: 50 cc. of a suspension of the staphylococcus bacteriophage in Martin's broth is stirred for one hour with an equal volume of the aluminum hydroxide suspension. This is collected on a Buchner funnel and washed 5 times with distilled water.
Published Version
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