SYNTHESIS OF RESERVE MATERIALS FOR ENDOGENOUS METABOLISM IN STREPTOCOCCUS FAECALIS

Forrest, W. W. (University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia), and D. J. Walker. Synthesis of reserve materials for endogenous metabolism in Streptococcus faecalis. J. Bacteriol. 89:1448-1452. 1965.-The growth curve of Streptococcus faecalis in batch culture with limited energy source shows an initial portion of exponential growth where the growth yield coefficient Y(glucose) is 32, followed by linear growth where Y(glucose) 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 higher concentration of ATP in the organisms than occurs in the cells grown with limited energy source.