Measurement of the intracellular pH in Escherichia coli with the internally conjugated fluorescent probe 5- (and 6-)carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester

The 5- (and 6-)carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester (cFDASE) is a pH-dependent fluorescent probe which conjugates with the aliphatic amine functions of the cells. Because of this property, the fluorescence efflux rate is low, 10 to 40% after 30 min of fermentable carbon source incubation. Thus, this technique allows a continuous high-time measurement (> 30 min) without correction of the signal, but also a dynamic study phenomenon of few seconds. Due to the advantages presented by this technique, the method was adapted for Escherichia coli. The internal pH measurement obtained under various conditions are in accuracy with those from radiolabelled technique and from other fluorescence probe, with the advantages mentioned previously.