Comparison of Two Separation Methods for Biological Particles: Field-Flow Fractionation (FFF) and Sucrose Density Gradients

<p>Sucrose gradient centrifugation and Field-flow fractionation (FFF) are two different particle separation methods that overcome the problems of similar size microorganisms clumping together during standard filtration methods. FFF separates particles based on size and density via the parabolic velocity profile of laminar flow in a ribbon-like channel. The sucrose method separates particles via centrifugation in a density gradient. Both techniques worked well in separating eukaryotic from prokaryotic microbes, with the preferred method depending on the type and relative abundance of organisms to be separated. Minicells were separated from mother cells in transformed <em>Escherichia coli</em> cultures, heterotrophic flagellates (e.g., <em>Diplonema papillatum</em>) from their bacterial prey in cultures, and various eukaryotes from prokaryotes in natural seawater communities. These separated clean fractions were further analyzed for their biochemical composition (using radiolabeling and subsequent biochemical fractionation) revealing significant differences in the bulk biochemical makeup between prokaryotic and eukaryotic microbes. Even within domains, the sucrose gradient method was able to separate prokaryotic and eukaryotic microbes by size. Variables that influence and improve these separation techniques were explored, including the effect of aldehyde fixation.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MS)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Ocean & Earth Sciences

Year dc:date.available

2014

Author dc:creator

• Garrison, Cody E.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Alexander B. Bochdansky
• Fred C. Dobbs
• John R. McConaugha

• Field-flow fractionation (FFF)
• Escherichia coli
• Heterotrophic flagellates
• Laminar flow
• Sucrose gradient centrifugation
• Biochemistry
• Microbiology
• Oceanography

Statement dc:rights

• <p>In Copyright. URI: <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).</p>

Repository record dc:identifier

https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/oeas_etds/173

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digitalcommons.odu.edu:oeas_etds-1173