Synthesis of Reserve Materials for Endogenous Metabolism in Streptococcus faecalis

Abstract

The growth curve of S. faecalis in batch culture with limited energy source shows an initial portion of exponential growth where the growth yield coefficient Yglucose is 32, followed by linear growth where Ygiucose is 21. Endogenous metabolism is correlated with maintenance of glycolytic activity, and there is a marked change in the glycolytic activity of cells harvested under these conditions; however, endogenous metabolism cannot be detected in either case by measurement of the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) pool in the organisms. Cells harvested after growth with excess energy source exhibit endogenous metabolism, which is correlated with a much bigger concentration of ATP in the organisms than occurs in the cells grown with limited energy source.