THE EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE ON THE NUTRITIONAL REQUIREMENTS OF FACULTATIVE AND OBLIGATE THERMOPHILIC BACTERIA

Abstract

The effect of incubation temp, on the nutritional requirements of 8 strains of Bacillus stearothermophilus, 4 strains of B. coagulans, and 1 strain of a thermophilic mutant of B. globigii, was detd. All strains gave good growth in a synthetic medium containing amino acids, vitamins, glucose, and salts. The cultures fell into 3 groups in so far as the incubation temp. affected the growth requirements. One group showed no differences in growth requirements regardless of the incubation temp.; a 2d group had additional requirements as the temp. of incubation was increased; a 3d group required additional metabolites as the incubation temp. was lowered. These findings are discussed in terms of the gene-enzyme relationship and shunt metabolism.