The Culture of Streptococcus pneumoniue

Abstract

In the fluid culture of Streptococcus pneumoniae in glucose + serum broth the part played by the serum appeared to be solely the regulation of pH value, and may be substituted by a suitable amount of sodium carbonate. The reason for the autolysis experienced in the fluid culture of pneumococci would appear to be due to hydrogen peroxide production. The addition of cysteine to a glucose + carbonate broth precluded the autolytic effect either by the cysteine giving an anaerobic condition of growth or by destroying H2O2.