Epsilon poly-L-lysine (ePL) is a biopolymer that has potential uses in a variety of fields including medicine, bioelectronics, and the food industry (as a food preservative). The goal of this project was to isolate ePL producing bacteria or fungi from soils suspected to be polluted by heavy metals, including chromates. The project concentrated on assaying the soil samples for chromium content, testing the specificity of the method of Itzhaki (to measure concentrations of ePL), and testing the antimicrobial effectiveness of ePL.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Ruda, Mary Gwendoly
• Mayo, Christopher B.
• Curylo, Elisabeth A.
• Moscardini, Mary G.
• Parks, Gregory J.
• Khor, Shi Chian

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-042408-104838

Advisor

• Buckholt, Michael Allan
• Rulfs, Jill
• Crusberg, Theodore C.

Year

• 2008

Date created

• 2008-04-24

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Biochemistry
• Biology & Biotechnology

Rights statement

• In Copyright