VIBRIO AMYLOCELLA, N. SP., A SOIL ORGANISM THAT DECOMPOSES CELLULOSE AND PRODUCES GLUCOSE FROM STARCH

Abstract

Vibrio amylocella, n. sp., isolated from soil, attacks cellulose, starch, dextrin, and sugars. It does not grow in mediums containing beef extract. It can obtain its nitrogen from peptone, amino-acids, and mineral salt compounds, when supplied with a suitable source of carbon. Glucose is formed from starch and dextrin in liquid cultures, and accumulates in a starch medium containing ammonium chloride, but is utilized completely when potassium nitrate is supplied. The accumulation of glucose is related to the development of acidity, which renders the organism non-viable. Calcium carbonate depresses diastatic action and enables the organism to utilize the glucose formed.The diastatic enzyme of V. amylocella is more active apart from the organism than in its presence. The organism is more active in starch hydrolysis than some common diastatic organisms.