An alternative method for the estimation of the magnetic moment of non-spherical magnetotactic bacteria

A new approach to the determination of the magnetic moment of non-spherical magnetotactic bacteria is described. This is achieved by studying the reaction of non-motile bacteria to applied homogenous magnetic fields. The magnetic moment is calculated from the 'flip time' of a magnetotactic bacterium as its dipole realigns itself when the polarity of the applied magnetic field is reversed. The results are compared with measurements obtained from three other techniques.