DEFINED MINIMAL MEDIUM FOR A THERMOPHILIC BACILLUS-SP DEVELOPED BY A CHEMOSTAT PULSE AND SHIFT TECHNIQUE

A new method for the design and optimization of a minimal medium is described. A chemostat pulse technique was used to identify growth limiting nutrients. By combining this pulse technique with medium shifts, the essential medium components were determined and the composition quantified. The described technique has useful applications for fastidious organisms and organisms which cannot be easily cultivated in shake flasks. A minimal medium is given for thermophilic Bacillus caldotenax, which exhibits methionine and biotin auxotrophy. © 1979 Springer-Verlag.