GROWTH AND EXTRACELLULAR POLYSACCHARIDE PRODUCTION BY RHIZOBIUM MELILOTI IN DEFINED MEDIUM.

Dudman, W. F. (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Canberra, Australia). Growth and extracellular polysaccharide production by Rhizobium meliloti in defined medium. J. Bacteriol. 88:640-645. 1964.-A defined medium was developed in which Rhizobium meliloti grew well in shaken flasks and produced large yields of extracellular polysaccharide. The medium contains 1% mannitol plus 1% sodium succinate as the carbon source. 0.2% sodium glutamate as the nitrogen source, mineral salts, thiamine, and biotin. Sucrose, glucose, and fructose were inferior to mannitol when compared as carbon sources. The presence of succinate in the medium enhanced polysaccharide production and also stimulated the appearance of an extracellular soluble pigment. In this medium, both growth and polysaccharide production were favored by low aeration.