Enrichment of Propionibacterium in paddy soil by addition of various organic substances

Enrichment of Propionibacterium and production of propionic acid in paddy soil after addition of glucose, casamino acids, or Na-lactate, respectively, were investigated. Only in the case of Na-lactate, both enrichment of Propionibacterium (74% of total anaerobes isolated) and production of large amounts of propionic acid were observed. These results suggest that lactate may support the growth of Propionibacterium in paddy soil.