Cultivation of Cellulose-splitting Bacteria on Membranes of Acetobacter xylinum

Abstract

Cellulose-splitting bacteria, when inoculated on prepared membranes of Acetobacter xylinum attack the membrane with effect visible in 48 hours. The membranes were prepared by growing A. xylinum for 2 to 3 days at 30[degree] C. in a sterile nutrient fluid containing: tap water; Marmite 0.5%; acetic acid 0.25%; cane sugar 3 to 5%; alcohol 2%. The tough gelatinous membranes were purified with 5% NaOH and dilute HCl, followed by tap water, and then impregnated with the following salt solution: NH4Cl 0.1%; K2HPO4 0.1%; MgSO4 0.05%, in water. The membranes can be spread in Petri dishes, sterilized in the autoclave and used like agar plates. If measured amounts of a fluid, up to 0.2 cc., are distributed on the surface of the plate, the number of cellulose-splitting organisms in the fluid can be calculated from the number of points of liquefaction.