A large number of amino acids failed to support growth of Pseudomonas denitrificans in a basal medium composed of glucose, ammonium phosphate, and other mineral salts. Inability of an amino acid to support growth correlated well with its inhibitory action in a complete medium made up by adding L-glutamic acid to the basal medium. D-Amino acids were more toxic than the corresponding L-forms, and neutral amino acids were more toxic than acidic amino acids. Basic amino acids which were least toxic supported the best growth. The danger of the indiscriminate use of amino acid mixtures for culture studies is discussed.