Gas chromatographic analysis of in situ cyclitol utilization by Klebsielleae growing in redwood extracts.

Gas chromatographic analysis was employed to demonstrate in situ cyclitol utilization in aqueous extracts of redwood by isolates of Klebsiella, Enterobacter, and several other genera of gram-negative bacteria. In aqueous redwood extracts, all but one of the Klebsiella and Enterobacter isolates tested reached densities exceeding 5.0 x 10(6) cells/ml within 4 days, and all utilized pinitol and sequoyitol. Other enteric bacteria did not utilize cyclitols in this extract. A defined minimal medium, containing the carbohydrates and cyclitols (including myo-inositol) in redwood, was used to determine which carbon sources are preferentially utilized by Klebsielleae and other bacteria. It was found that D-glucose and L-arabinose were consumed by Klebsiella before the three cyclitols were utilized. Pinitol utilization proceeded in more slowly than that of sequoyitol and myo-inositol. Cyclitol utilization in the defined medium was also observed for Yersinia, Erwinia, and Salmonella. Escherichia coli isolates did not utilize cyclitol compounds. The ability to use cyclitols as a sole source of carbon can explain the high cell densities of Klebsielleae in redwood water reservoirs and in redwood lumber.