FACTORS INFLUENCING GROWTH AND POLYSACCHARIDE FORMATION BY STRAINS OF CHROMOBACTERIUM VIOLACEUM

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Corpe, William A. (Columbia University, New York, N.Y.). Factors influencing growth and polysaccharide formation by strains of Chromobacterium violaceum. J. Bacteriol. 88:1433–1441. 1964.—Gelatinous Chromobacterium violaceum strains elaborate a fibrous exopolysaccharide that forms a matrix in which growing cells are embedded. Stable, nongelatinous variants arising from gelatinous cultures were of two types: (i) those that had lost the ability to produce polysaccharide, and (ii) those that had lost the capacity to bind the polymer into a matrix. Gelatinous strains growing in Tryptone did not produce a matrix, but rather elaborated polysaccharide free into the medium. The effect of Tryptone was not one of selection of nongelatinous variants. Growth and polysaccharide synthesis in a defined medium were greatest when amino acids were substituted for ammonia as a nitrogen source. Best growth and polysaccharide yield occurred when the ratio of carbohydrate to nitrogen was in the order of 10:1. Depolymerization of formed polymer occurred in cultures grown with Casamino Acids as the nitrogen source. Calcium ion stimulated polysaccharide formation. Iron, although stimulating growth, inhibited polysaccharide formation.

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