Influence of environmental parameters on polyphosphate accumulation in Acinetobacter sp.

The regulation of and the optimum conditions for polyphosphate accumulation in Acinetobacter sp. were determined. Acinetobacter strain 210A accumulated polyphosphate in the presence of an intra- or extracellular energy source. The accumulation of polyphosphate during endogenous respiration was stimulated by streptomycin and inhibited by KCN. The highest amount of polyphosphate was found in cells in which energy supply was not limited, namely at low growth rates under sulphur limitation, and in the stationary phase of growth when either the nitrogen or the sulphur source was depleted. The phosphorus accumulation was not affected by the pH between 6.5 and 9. There was a pronounced effect of the temperature on phosphorus accumulation but is varied from strain to strain. Acinetobacter strain 210A accumulated more phosphate at low temperatures, strain B8 showed an optimum accumulation at 27.5 degrees C, while strain P accumulated phosphorus independently of the temperature. The optimum temperature for growth of Acinetobacter strains tested ranged from 25 to 33 degrees C, and the optimum pH was between 6 and 9.