[Effect of the redox potential on the growth of aerobic microorganisms]

The effect of redox potential was studied on the growth of the following aerobic microorganisms: Candida utilis, Bacillus megaterium, Pseudomonas fluorescens. The action of oxidizing agents (K3Fe(CN)6, KIO3, K2Cr207 and KMnO4) and reducing agents (ascorbic acid, sodium thioglycolate, K4Fe (CN)6 and Na2S2O3) on the growth rate was investigated. K3Fe(CN)6, ascorbic acid, sodium thioglycolate and K4Fe(CN)6 were found to be suitable for buffering the Eh of the medium. The potential could be shifted by 50--200 mV by adding various reducing and oxidizing agents. The rate of growth of C. utilis, Bac. megaterium and Ps. fluorescens did not depend on the potential value.