Stearic acid, an Essential Growth Factor for Trypanosoma cruzi

Abstract

SUMMARY The function of serum in the composition of culture media for trypanosomes was investigated with Trypanosoma cruzi. Serum supplies stearic acid, essential for the growth of this trypanosome. A liquid heat-sterilizable medium, composed of peptone and known chemicals is described. The growth of T. cruzi in this medium reached 70 x 106 trypanosomes/ml.