Microcalorimetric study of Escherichia coli aerobic growth: theoretical aspects of growth on succinic acid

Abstract

Two methods of investigation were used to evaluate the heat quantity associated with anabolic processes (qan) during the aerobic growth of E. coli in a minimal medium containing succinic acid as the sole energy and C source. The study of the contribution of biosynthetic reactions from succinic acid and NH3 were investigated by both methods. The 2 qan values obtained were in excellent agreement and were significant. Thus it was demonstrated that the contribution of anabolism strongly influenced the quantity of heat associated with microbial aerobic growth. The qan calculated as above explained the experimental enthalpy change which was recently reported.