The Effect of Carbon Dioxide on Bacteria

Abstract

A chronological review of investigations of effects of CO2 on bacteria. Studies of its effects made during the past 50 yrs. are grouped thus: (1) Those concerned with its destructive action, 1877-1915; (2) those dealing with its beneficial influence, beginning; with Nowak''s tension method for Bact. abortus (Bang) in 1908, but especially with Wherry and Oliver''s study of the gonococcus in 1916. In 1918, Chapin applied gaseous CO2 in its cultivation, while Cohen and Fleming used it with the meningococcus. (3) Studies concerned with CO2 as a definite requirement. In 1890 Wino-gradsky proved that CO2 is necessary for the nitrifying bacteria. Lieske (1911) found it necessary for Spirophyllum ferrugineum; Wherry and Ervin (1918), for tubercle bacilli. Theobald Smith (1924), for Bad. abortus; Valley and Rettger (1925-1927), for common stock cultures. Thus, although CO2 may be harmful to certain bacteria under some conditions, it may also be of great value or necessary to growth and life of bacteria under other conditions. Three per cent added CO2 produces highly potent diphtheria toxin which is stable under various temp. of storage under CO2. Valley and Rettger found that of 109 organisms studied, none developed in otherwise favorable media when deprived of all CO2. Rockwell and Highberger also showed that growth of Saccharomyces and Mucor were inhibited by removal of CO2. According to others, spores germinate poorly or not at all in abscence of CO2 but are stimulated by small amounts.