The Cause of Loss of Viability of Airborne Escherichia coli K12

SUMMARY The uptake of uracil, pyruvate, methionine and oxygen and the breakdown of RNA and protein have been examined in Escherichia coli k 12 HfrC after storage as an aerosol for 15 min. in nitrogen at 80 % and 40 % relative humidity (RH). At 80 % RH there was greatest loss of viability and almost complete breakdown of RNA together with severe inhibition of energy production. At 40% RH all these effects were mitigated.