Effects of Sodium Azide on the Abundance of Prokaryotes and Viruses in Marine Samples

Author(s)
Christian Winter, Marie-Emmanuelle Kerros, Markus Weinbauer
Abstract

Flow cytometry is set to become the standard method for enumerating prokaryotes and viruses in marine samples. However, the samples need to be flash-frozen in liquid nitrogen directly after aldehyde fixation. Because liquid nitrogen may not always be available, we tested the potential of sodium azide as a preservative for prokaryotes and viruses in marine samples as a possible alternative. For that we conducted incubation experiments with untreated and sodium azide treated marine water samples at 4 degrees C and room temperature. The data indicate that sodium azide cannot be used to maintain marine samples used for the enumeration of prokaryotes and viruses.

Organisation(s)
Functional and Evolutionary Ecology
External organisation(s)
Laboratoire d'Océanographie de Villefranche
Journal
PLoS ONE
Volume
7
ISSN
1932-6203
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0037597
Publication date
2012
Peer reviewed
Yes
Austrian Fields of Science 2012
106022 Microbiology
Sustainable Development Goals
SDG 14 - Life Below Water
Portal url
https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/effects-of-sodium-azide-on-the-abundance-of-prokaryotes-and-viruses-in-marine-samples(d0bcc411-289e-4a85-a09c-f50a745fcea8).html