Continuous culture studies on the growth and physiology of Streptococcus mutans.

We examined the effects of nutritional limitations on the production of lactic acid by Streptococcus mutans grown at low growth rates in continuous culture. Lactic acid production was greater in nitrogen- and phosphate-limited continuous cultures than in glucose-limited conditions. These results are correlated with the release of calcium from enamel in cellfree broths from various fermentations.