On the enthalpy of formation of Escherichia coli K-12 cells.

An examination is made of five methods for obtaining values of the enthalpy of formation of a unit mass of living Escherichia coli K-12 cells. The values obtained by these methods ranged from -88.95 kJ to -99.55 kJ, the gross average being 96.01 kJ, per unit carbon formula weight equivalent of living, hydrated cells. Although theoretically the growth of this organism in a microcalorimeter should provide the best value, the value obtained by this method (-88.95 kJ per UCFW equivalent) is not in close agreement with those of the other four methods, the values from which form a cluster averaging -97.8 +/- 1.0 kJ (-23.4 +/- 0.2 kcal)/UCFW equivalent. Calculations using this value indicate that the enthalpy change accompanying anabolism (as this is represented) is zero, or very nearly so, and that the heat of growth is that from catabolism alone.