MINIMAL REQUIREMENTS FOR EXPONENTIAL-GROWTH OF LACTOCOCCUS-LACTIS

A minimal growth medium containing glucose, acetate, vitamins, and eight amino acids allowed for growth of Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis, with a specific growth rate in batch culture of mu = 0.3 h-1. With 19 amino acids added, the growth rate increased to mu = 0.7 h-1 and the exponential growth phase proceeded until high cell concentrations were reached. We show that morpholinepropanesulfonic acid (MOPS) is a suitable buffer for L. lactis and may be applied in high concentrations.