EFFECT OF GLUCOSE AND AMINO-ACIDS ON OLIGOTROPHIC BACTERIA

The effect of varying concentrations of glucose, amino acids, and thei r different combinations on four strains of oligotrophic bacteria was studied. A limiting concentration of amino acids was 0.1 - 0.3% (depen ding on the culture) at a 0.1% glucose concentration in the growth med ium. At a 0.1 - 0.3% concentration of amino acids in the medium, a lim iting glucose concentration was 0.3%. Concentrations higher than limit ing ones inhibited the growth and caused formation of involuted forms and spheroplasts. Cell respiration, evaluated by CO2 generation rate, correlated with growth kinetics. At concentrations lower than limiting ones, both glucose and amino acids increased respiration intensity; h owever, at concentrations over the limiting levels, CO2 evolution beca me stable or could be increased only slightly.