EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATIONS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THREAD AND CHAIN FORMS IN BACTERIUM PRODIGIOSUM
Abstract
Addition of salts of the most varied cations and anions in Bacterium prodigiosum lead to the formation of normal individual cells or more or less long chains and threads. The development of the particular form depends on the position of the cation or the anion in the swelling series; the more strongly swelling the particular ion acts, the more strongly will the thread form appear via the chain form. Combinations of the ions, respectively, of their salts, either produce an additive effect or an antagonistic effect. The addition of a salt has no effect if it is added later than 8 hours after inoculation of the culture. The cause is the then commencing acid formation, in accordance with the effect of the hydrogen ions which promotes the breakdown of the chains. A certain carbon/nitrogen ratio is decisive for the length of the chain; the salt volume which will trigger the chain or thread formation however cannot be influenced by this ratio. Pseudomonas fluorescens behaved in a similar manner and Bacterium coli behaved along these lines, although in a somewhat reduced manner. Bacillus subtilis and one proactinomycete did not reveal any capability of being influenced here. Bacillus mycoides likewise generally did not react although it was possible, in this case, to achieve growth in individual cells through continuing over-inoculation of 3-week old cultures on nutrient media with a high dextrose content.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 28, 1967
- Accession Number
- AD0840395
Entities
People
- Edith Heinzel
Organizations
- United States Army Biological Warfare Laboratories