Applied Microbiology

The effect of the initial substrate surface condition, as indicated by the critical surface tension for wetting, on the rate of attachment of marine bacteria to a variety of solid surfaces has been measured. The techniques used to determine the number of bacteria attached per unit surface area were a lipopolysaccharide test utilizing Limulus lysate and direct examination of the surface by scanning electron microscopy. The results obtained by the two techniques are compared and their significance to the control of microbiological slime film formation (microfouling) is discussed...

Three thermophilic cellulolytic fungi, Chaetomium thermophile var. coprophile, Sporotrichum thermophile, and Thermoascus aurantiacus were studied to determine the conditions for a high rate of cellulose degradation. The range of temperature over which good growth occurred was determined first in a temperature gradient incubator; the optimum temperature was then established in shake flask cultures. T. aurantiacus had the highest optimum growth temperature range (46 to 51 C), whereas S. thermophile had the broadest range over which good growth occurred (36 to 43 C)...

The neutral lipids and phospholipids of two strains of rhizobia in their free-living state and in symbiosis with a host plant are described. The principal lipid classes found were the polymer poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate, phospholipids, free fatty acids, glycerides, methyl esters, aliphatic alcohols, and hydrocarbons. The lipids include unusual unsaturated methyl-branched and saturated methoxy-branched fatty acids. Most components were found to be common to both forms of both strains, although the proportions varied...

High glucoamylase (alpha-D-/1 --> 4/glucan glucohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.3.) activity was obtained in the cell-free culture fluid of Cephalosporium charticola. Glucoamylase seems to be the only amylolytic enzyme produced by C. charticola. The enzyme, purified on diethylaminoethyl-cellulose, was homogeneous by disc gel electrophoresis. The optimum pH on starch was 5.4, and optimum temperature was 60 C. Starch was degraded more rapidly than several other substrates; maltose was hydrolyzed about one-fifth as rapidly as starch...

[This corrects the article on p. 469 in vol. 29.].

A new process for recycling feedlot waste involves the fermentation of liquid from this waste combined with corn. Changes in the flora of this silage-like fermentation were followed. The fermentation was dominated by lactobacilli and yeasts, which initially constitute 1% or less of the natural flora. The species of yeasts and lactics involved were characterized. The fermentation has two phases. A single heterolactic species multiplied rapidly for the first 24 h until it represented 95% of the lactobacilli and more than 90% of the total microflora...

An apparatus for printing wax grids on membrane filters is described. The machine produced more and better hydrophobic grid-membrane filters much more rapidly than by hand.

[This corrects the article on p. 537 in vol. 29.].

The construction and operation of a relatively inexpensive cabinet for sausage fermentation studies is described. Temperature can be controlled to +/-1 C with a relative humidity of approximately 95%.

Incorporation of 1.9% beta-disodium glycerophosphate (GP) into a complex medium resulted in improved growth by lactic streptococci at 30 C. The medium, called M17, contained: Phytone peptone, 5.0 g; polypeptone, 5.0 g; yeast extract, 2.5 g; beef extract, 5.0 g; lactose, 5.0 g; ascorbic acid, 0.5 g; GP, 19.0 g; 1.0 M MgSO(4).7H(2)O, 1.0 ml; and glass-distilled water, 1,000 ml. Based on absorbance readings and total counts, all strains of Streptococcus cremoris, S. diacetilactis, and S. lactis grew better in M17 medium than in a similar medium lacking GP or in lactic broth...

The association of rumen bacteria with specific leaf tissues of the forage grass Kentucky-31 tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) during in vitro degradation was investigated by transmission and scanning electron microscopy. Examination of degraded leaf cross-sections revealed differential rates of tissue degradation in that the cell walls of the mesophyll and pholem were degraded prior to those of the outer bundle sheath and epidermis. Rumen bacteria appeared to degrade the mesophyll, in some cases, and phloem without prior attachment to the plant cell walls...

[This corrects the article on p. 915 in vol. 28.].

Optimum growth conditions for mixed species starter FDs 0172 in skim milk, whey medium, and tryptone medium at 25 C in a "pH-stat" continuous fermentor were investigated. Specific growth rate and productivity were found to be influenced both by the medium and the pH value. Highest productivity was found in skim milk medium between pH 5.5 and 5.9. Lactic acid-producing activity of harvested cells decreased by continuous cultivation at pH values lower than 5.9 to 6.1, especially in tryptone and whey medium. Bacterial balance, CO(2) production, and aroma formation were comparable to the control in skim milk and whey medium at any pH, but differed significantly for cells grown in tryptone medium...

[This corrects the article on p. 179 in vol. 29.].

[This corrects the article on p. 133 in vol. 29.].

[This corrects the article on p. 785 in vol. 28.].

The length of storage in sealed containers at room temperature did not affect the plating efficiency of violet red bile agar.

Toposequence variations in soil properties were characterized and related to variations in populations of total isolatable bacteria and arthrobacters. Increases in soil NO(3)-N, available phosphorous, NO(3)-N-producing power, Arthrobacter counts, and the percentage of the total counts represented by arthrobacters were correlated with decreases in soil acidity. The total bacterial counts were not correlated with soil acidity but were associated with percentage of soil organic matter and percentage of clay. The percentage of the total counts represented by arthrobacters was lowest at the summit position and increased downslope to the highest value in the toeslope position...

Optimum growth conditions for mixed species starter FDs 0172 at constant pH in skim milk, whey, and tryptone medium were investigated. Growth rate and maximum population were optimal at 30 C. pH values between 5.5 and 7.0 did not influence the growth rate and maximum population obtainable. Lactic acid-producing activity declined rapidly after reaching the end of the exponential growth phase. The bacterial balance was found to be influenced by the growth parameters: media, pH, temperature, and neutralizer. Skim milk or whey medium at 25 C, pH 6...

Thirty-nine microorganisms representing 11 species of bacteria, one yeast, and three filamentous fungi were isolated and identified from four fermented fish sauces: nampla, patis, koami, and ounago.