ON THE STIMULATING ACTION OF CERTAIN ORGANIC COMPOUNDS ON CELLULOSE DECOMPOSITION BY MEANS OF A NEW AEROBIC MICROORGANISM THAT ATTACKS BOTH CELLULOSE AND AGAR

Abstract

A new micro-organism is described that possesses the power of decomposing cellulose (filter-paper) and agar-agar with great rapidity. It is able to utilise either of these substances as the sole source of energy for its growth. No loss of the power to decompose cellulose or agar has been observed after nine months cultivation in the laboratory. On account of its morphology and physiological characters the organism has received the name Microspira agar-liquefaciens. Pure culture experiments with this organism show that under conditions of adequate aeration it will decompose filter paper to a greater extent in the presence of small quantities of certain other carbohydrates and related substances. The stimulating effect of xylose and lignin is of especial interest owing to their association with cellulose in straw. We are much, indebted to Mr H. G. Thornton for his valued help and criticism during this work; to Mr S. du Toit for supplies of xylose and lignin, and for the estimation of lignin in solution; and to Mr G. C. Sawyer for estimations of the amount of nitrogen in filter paper and agar.