@article{mbs:/content/journal/micro/10.1099/00221287-139-7-1425, author = "García-Lara, Jorge and Martínez, Josefina and Vilamú, Mercè and Vives-Rego, José", title = "Effect of previous growth conditions on the starvation-survival of Escherichia coli in seawater", journal= "Microbiology", year = "1993", volume = "139", number = "7", pages = "1425-1431", doi = "https://doi.org/10.1099/00221287-139-7-1425", url = "https://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/micro/10.1099/00221287-139-7-1425", publisher = "Microbiology Society", issn = "1465-2080", type = "Journal Article", abstract = "Summary: The starvation-survival of Escherichia coli in seawater was assessed by plate and epifluorescence counts, 3H-label decrease, cellular DNA concentrations, and metabolic activities. These assays were performed on two types of populations, adapted and non-adapted to seawater. The number of viable cells in the adapted population remained constant throughout starvation-survival in sterile seawater. In contrast, a significant decrease in the ability of the non-adapted E. coli to form colonies on plates following starvation-survival in sterile seawater was observed. However, this drop in viable counts was not mirrored by the epifluorescence counts and 3H-label, which did not show major changes for either population during the experiments, indicating maintenance of the number of cells. In addition, a significant increase in and subsequent maintenance of DNA content and thymidine incorporation was observed for both populations during starvation-survival in sterile seawater. The changes in cell-attached exoproteolytic activity and electron transport system activity showed that adapted and non-adapted E. coli cells maintain their metabolic potential. Cell-free exoproteolytic activity was drastically reduced in both populations. Adapted cells showed higher electron transport system activity and thymidine incorporation than non-adapted cells at the onset of starvation-survival. The effect of previous adaptation on E. coli starvation-survival, as assessed by plate counts and 3H-label decrease, w as also observed in raw seawater. It seems from these data that the biological potential of E. coli cells suspended in sterile seawater has not been switched off or impaired seriously.", }