[Comparative study of the growth parameters of methanotropic bacteria]

Growth parameters and their interrelationship were determined for two mixed and seven pure cultures of methanotrophic bacteria. The specific growth rate, the rate of methane assimilation, and the economic coefficient changed significantly in the course of cultivation of the methanotrophic cultures in the periodic regime, the changes being of the extremem character. Therefore, mean values of the growth parameters of these cultures determined under identical conditions were compared. These parameters were found to be dependent on the taxonomy of the cultures and on the conditions of their growth. No considerable differences had been found in the growth parameters between mixed and pure methanotrophous cultures. Portions of the carbon of methane expended for synthesis of the biomass, carbon dioxide, and exometabolites was different among methanotrophic cultures belonging to different genera.