Studies on the Luminous Bacteria

Abstract

Studies on the anaerobic metabolism of several spp. of facultatively anaerobic luminous bacteria showed that these polarly flagellated organisms carry out "mixed acid" fermentations. Dissimilation of glucose results in the production of formic, acetic, lactic, and succinic acids, alcohol, CO2, acetylmethyl-carbinol, and, in fermentations with Photobacterium phos-phoreum, hydrogen and, occasionally, 2,3-butylene glycol. P. fischeri, P. sepiae, P. splendidum, and Achromobacter harveyi produce no H2 or 2,3-butylene glycol and differ among themselves mainly in the extent of lactic acid production. Decomposition of some other compounds is discussed.