COMPARATIVE STUDIES ON THE GROWTH OF MYXOBACTERIA ON BACTERIAL SUSPENSIONS

Abstract

The growth of Myxococcus fulvus and Myxococcus virescens on a number of bacteria was followed in a liquid medium. Multiplication of the myxobacteria was accompanied by their adsorption on the bacterial cells, by their coagglutination, and by their adsorption on the glass surface of the culture flask. Lysis of the agglutinated bacterial cells and release of their proteins to the growth medium took place prior to an increase in the lytic activity of the growth medium towards the tested bacteria. Soluble proteins reached a higher level in media containing Gram-negative than in those containing the Gram-positive organisms. No difference was observed in the multiplication rate, sporulation, or pigmentation of the myxobacteria tested, when grown on either Gram-positive or Gram-negative organisms. Using Staphylococcus aureus as a test organism, no antibiotic activity in any of the growth media could be detected.