Growth and Division of Filamentous Forms of Escherichia coli

Abstract

Growth of D. desulfuricans was investigated under heterotrophic and anaerobic conditions. For initial growth to occur, it was found that the Eh must be at least 0 mv. Some carbon sources were tested, and those which could be metabolized by D. desulfuricans were pyruvate, lactate, glycerol, glyceraldehyde and ribose. Observations were also made on the sulfate used during growth. Various amounts of sulfate were added and depleted within 38 hr. This may be correlated with the decline in growth. As the terminal electron acceptor was exhausted the organisms could not respire, and, with the subsequent energy depletion, the population decreased.