DISSIMILATION OF GLUCOSE BY<i>BACILLUS SUBTILIS</i>(FORD'S STRAIN)

Abstract

Ford's strain of Bacillus subtilis (N.C.T.C. 2586) dissimilated glucose mainly to 2,3-butanediol and glycerol under anaerobic conditions at pH 6.2 to 6.8. For each 100 moles of glucose fermented, 57 moles of 2,3-butanediol, 40 moles of glycerol, 20 moles of lactic acid, 13 moles of ethanol, and 5 moles of formic acid were produced. Aerobic conditions favoured formation of 2,3-butanediol and acetoin, oxidation of the substrate, and formation of acetic and butyric acids, but greatly depressed the amount of glycerol and lactic acid formed. In alkaline media (pH 7.5), acids were formed at the expense of the diol and glycerol.