Dynamics of growth of atypical mycobacteria in different liquid cultivation media

The dynamics of growth of Mycobacterium smegmatis, M. fortuitum and M. phlei in liquid media used also for cultivation of typical mycobacteria (Sauton, Youmans, Kirchner, Sula) was compared with that in Davis and Merrill media. In the Merrill medium glucose (as the only organic component) was replaced with another carbon source and the effect of this modification was investigated. The results obtained show that the Merrill medium, its modification in particular, is suitable for cultivation of M. smegmatis and M. fortuitum. 2-Oxoglutarate and succinate are important as the sole carbon sources in the case of M. fortuitum and M. phlei respectively.