NUTRITION AND METABOLISM OF MARINE BACTERIA I

Abstract

A general survey was made of the nutritional requirements of 33 marine bacteria isolated from sea water, the surface and gut of fish, and from clams. The largest numbers of the organisms belong to the genera Mycoplana, Corynebacterium, and Flavobacterium, Nineteen were able to grow in a medium containing any one of several organic compounds as a source of carbon and energy, (NH4)2SO4 as a source of N, and a mixture of inorganic ions. Seven organisms when tested grew only feebly or not at all except when certain amino acids or combinations of amino acids were supplied as sole sources of carbon and energy. Four organisms required amino acid supplements in addition to a nonamino acid source of carbon and energy. Five of the bacteria grew in the presence of one or more vitamins or other growth factors. One of the latter organisms has a still unidentified growth factor requirement. Those organisms, requiring the presence of sea water in the medium on initial isolation, grew if sea water was replaced by a mixture of salts approximating the composition of sea water. A requirement of all of the organisms tested for K+, Mg++, and in some cases also for Na+ and Ca++ was demonstrated.