INFLUENCE OF THE CONCENTRATION OF IRON ON THE PRODUCTION OF FLUORESCIN BY PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA

Abstract

The production of fluorescin by P. aeruginosa grown on asparagin- or glycerol-containing media was found to be inversely related to the Fe concn. of the medium. In a medium containing sufficient Fe to suppress pigment production to a low level, 8-hydroxyquinoline, chloramphenicol or streptomycin failed to affect fluorescin production. High levels of penicillin increased the pigment production markedly, indicating that, under the conditions of the experiment, the antibiotic may interfere with Fe metabolism.