NUTRITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR VEGETATIVE GROWTH OF MYXOCOCCUS XANTHUS

Abstract

Dworkin, Martin (Indiana University Medical Center, Indianapolis, Ind.). Nutritional requirements for vegetative growth of Myxococcus xanthus . J. Bacteriol. 84: 250–257. 1962.—This investigation was part of a program to clarify the environmental regulation of fruiting-body formation in a fruiting myxobacterium. By use of a dispersed-growing strain of Myxococcus xanthus , the nutritional requirements for vegetative growth have been defined. Exponential growth will take place on a medium containing 17 amino acids and salts. The generation time is 8 to 10 hr. Various optima have been established. There are no requirements for exogenous vitamins, and, with the exception of glycogen, a variety of organic materials do not significantly stimulate growth.