Summary
The optical density of Chromatium cultures grown anaerobically in the light with sulfide as electron donor is mainly determined by the sulfur content of the cells. Since the sulfur content varies, growth cannot be followed in this way. However, optical density measurements are very useful to characterize the moment of sulfide depletion and maximal sulfur storage. In addition to protein or cell nitrogen, increase in structural cell material in growing cultures of Chromatium can easily be followed by bacteriochlorophyll determinations, provided that the illumination intensity is higher than the saturation intensity.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Fuller, R. C., S. F. Conti, and D. B. Mellin: The structure of the photosynthetic apparatus in the green and purple sulfur bacteria, pp. 71–87. In: H. Gest, A. San Pietro, and L. P. Vernon (Ed.): Bacterial photosynthesis. Yellow Springs: Antioch Press 1964.
Golterman, H. L.: Studies on the cycle of elements in fresh water. Acta bot. neerl. 9, 1–58 (1960).
Hewitt, E. J.: Sand and water culture methods used in the study of plant nutrition. Commonwealth Agric. Bur. Techn. Rep. No. 22 (1952).
Pachmayr, F.: Vorkommen und Bestimmung von Schwefelverbindungen in Mineralwasser. Thesis, Univ. München 1960.
Postgate, J. R.: The examination of sulphur auxotrophs; a warning. J. gen. Microbiol. 30, 481–484 (1963).
Standard methods for the examination of water, sewage, and industrial wastes. 10th ed. New York: American Public Health Association, Inc. 1955.
Trüper, H. G., and H. G. Schlegel: Sulphur metabolism in Thiorhodaceae. I. Quantitative measurements on growing cells of Chromatium okenii. Antonie v. Leeuwenhoek 30, 225–238 (1964).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
van Gemerden, H. Growth measurements of Chromatium cultures. Archiv. Mikrobiol. 64, 103–110 (1968). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00406968
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00406968