Reagents for Lysis of Bacterial Cells

Abstract

The invention provides a composition containing an aqueous liquid phase, bacterial cells, and an ionic compound dissolved in the liquid phase. The ionic compound is selected from the group consisting of 1-butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium-thiocyanate, 1-butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium-2(2-methoxy-ethoxy)ethylsulfate, 1-methyl-1-[4-(3-methyl-3H-imidazol-1-ium)-but-1-yl]-3H-imidazolium-di(toluylsulfate), and 1-butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium-octylsulfate. The compositions of the invention are advantageously used for preparing lysates of biological cells, particularly bacterial cells.

1 . A composition comprising an aqueous liquid phase, bacterial cells, and an ionic compound dissolved in the liquid phase at a concentration of about 560 mM or higher, wherein the ionic compound is selected from the group consisting of 1 butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium-2(2-methoxyethoxy)ethylsulfate, 1-methyl-1-[4-(3-methyl-3H-imidazol-1-ium)-but-1-yl]-3H-imidazolium-di(toluylsulfate), and 1-butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium octylsulfate. 
     
     
         2 . The composition according to  claim 1 , further comprising a buffer salt capable of buffering at an acidic pH. 
     
     
         3 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the composition has an acidic pH. 
     
     
         4 . The composition according to  claim 1 , further comprising a solid phase with a silica surface. 
     
     
         5 . The composition according to  claim 4 , wherein the solid phase comprises magnetically attractable particles. 
     
     
         6 . The composition according to  claim 1  wherein the ionic compound is 1 butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium-2(2-methoxyethoxy)ethylsulfate. 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the bacterial cells are Gram-positive, and the ionic compound dissolved in the liquid phase is 1-methyl-1-[4-(3-methyl-3H-imidazol-1-ium)-but-1-yl]-3H-imidazolium-di(toluylsulfate). 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . A composition comprising an aqueous liquid phase, Gram-negative bacterial cells, and an ionic compound dissolved in the liquid phase at a concentration of about 370 mM or higher, wherein the ionic compound is 1-butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium-octylsulfate. 
     
     
         11 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the ionic compound is dissolved in the liquid phase at a concentration of about 370 mM or higher.