STUDIES ON THE CARBON DIOXIDE REQUIREMENT OF NEISSERIA MENINGITIDIS

Abstract

The supplemental CO2 required for the growth of a strain of N. meningitidis in a chemically defined medium could be replaced completely by adding 0.01% yeast extract or a combination of chemically defined growth factors. As shown by the failure of the organism to survive aeration, none of the growth factors tested could substitute completely for CO2. The results indicate that these substances act by stimulating the rate of production of CO2 by the organism rather than by replacing the need for additional CO2. The active substance (or substances) in yeast extract is extractable from aqueous soln. with alcohol or acetone, resists autoclaving at 121[degree]C for 1 hr. at pH 1.8 or 11.7, and is inactivated by u.-v. light.