Identification of Bacteria by Differential Light Scattering

Abstract

I HAVE already discussed the feasibility of identifying living bacterial cells using differential light scattering techniques¹. I suggested that, because there are subtle structural and biochemical differences between bacterial species, average differences should be expected in their dielectric composition. Thus the light scattering characteristics of one species might well differ from those of another species. Light scattering characteristics could therefore serve as a means of identification. Naturally, variations in size and shape, growth history and environmental effects on cellular morphology would be expected to modify light scattering differences and perhaps render such an identification procedure meaningless.