The power-time curves of bacterial growth at different temperatures we
re determined by using the 2277 Thermal Activity Monitor (Sweden). Fro
m these curves, the growth rate constant (mu) and activation energy (E
-a) were calculated. According to the transition state theory of react
ion dynamics, the activation entropy (Delta S double dagger), activati
on Gibbs free energy (Delta G double dagger) and equilibrium constant
(K double dagger) of the activation state could be calculated. These r
esults permitted thermodynamic analysis of the bacterial growth metabo
lism.