Fig. 4

Dependence of aggregation on pH shown at time points a 0 h, b 18 h, c 72 h. Phage aggregation triggered by low ionic strength showed variable dynamics depending on pH. Under lower pH (5.8) we observed the slowest rate of aggregation (red line), intermediate rate at neutral pH (7.0) (green line) while the fastest under alkaline conditions (pH 8.6) with almost complete contribution of large objects already after 18 h (blue line). Aggregation reached the high yield level at the neutral pH only after 72 while at alkaline pH already 18 h were sufficient