Factors affecting the elaboration by Clostridium histolyticum of proteinases capable of debriding third degree burn eschars on guinea pigs.

Berman, Sanford (Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Washington, D. C.), Joseph P. Lowenthal, Marion E. Webster, Patricia L. Altieri, and Raymond B. Gochenour. Factors affecting the elaboration by Clostridium histolyticum of proteinases capable of debriding third degree burn eschars on guinea pigs. J. Bacteriol. 82:582-588. 1961.-A comparison of three strains of Clostridium histolyticum grown in two different media indicated that the H-4 strain produced the greatest yield of enzyme(s) capable of debriding third degree burn eschars on guinea pigs. Some of the nutritional and physiological factors affecting the elaboration of enzymes by this strain have been investigated. Maximal yields have been obtained after incubation for 14 to 16 hr at 30 C in a medium consisting of 5% proteose-peptone, 1.5% trypticase soy broth, and vitamins; pH 7.5. A medium consisting of 2% proteose-peptone and 2% Casamino acids yields somewhat lower enzyme titers, but has the compensating advantage of being less costly and may be more amenable to purification and concentration procedures because of its reduced precipitable nitrogen content.