Determination of Growth Parameters of Methylamine-using Bacteria

Abstract

SUMMARY: Growth parameters on methylamine and glucose were determined for obligately methylotrophic bacterium B6/2, facultatively methylotrophic bacterium DT26 and Pseudomonas NB4, which is able to use methylamine as sole nitrogen source but not as sole carbon and energy source. Substrate saturation constants were determined by a respirometric method. Values obtained for maximum specific growth rates (h−1), substrate saturation constants (μmol 1−1), yield coefficient as 50% maximum growth rate [(g dry biomass) mol−1] and maintenance coefficient [mmol (g dry biomass)−1 h−1], respectively, were 0·33, 36, 21·2 and 3·2 for B6/2 with methylamine as sole carbon, energy and nitrogen source, 0·09, 5·1, 15·6 and 1·8 for DT26 with methylamine as sole carbon, energy and nitrogen source, 0·20, 2·5, 94 and 0·70 for DT26 with glucose as sole carbon and energy source and NH+ 4 as sole nitrogen source, and 0·58, 6·1, 67 and 0·63 for NB4 with glucose as sole carbon and energy source and NH+ 4 as sole nitrogen source. Pseudomonas NB4 grew with a maximum specific growth rate of 0·35 with glucose as sole carbon and energy source and methylamine as sole nitrogen source.