The Nutrition of Clostridium kluyveri

Abstract

C. kluyveri grows well in a synthetic medium containing inorganic salts, ethanol, acetate, biotin, and P-aminobenzoic acid as the main ingredients. No compound has been found that can be substituted for ethanol. Acetate can be replaced by propionate and, less adequately, by butyrate. C. kluyveri does not attack glucose, pyruvate, or other common fermentation substrates. CO2 is consumed during growth, most of it being used for the synthesis of cell constituents. By the use of the synthetic medium the isolation of C. kluyveri from natural sources is greatly facilitated.