Growth rates k estimated in the
size fractionation experiment were 1.31 [d.sup.-1] for HNF and 0.42 [d.sup.-1] for ciliates (Fig.
The influence of the size fractionation method used (manual v.
The use of size fractionation was based on the premise that as pieces of plant residues decompose, a diminution of particle size occurs along with a transfer of degradation products into particles [less than or equal to] 50 [micro]m.
In this regard, our group has shown that fetal DNA is shorter than the maternal counterpart in the plasma of pregnant women (6), and this has allowed the enrichment of fetal DNA from maternal plasma by
size fractionation (7).