Membrane fluidity in glutamic acid-producing bacteria Brevibacterium sp. ATCC 13869

The bacterial secretion of glutamate was studied through plasma membrane fluidity, measured by anisotropy using the fluorophore TMA-DPH incorporated in the lipid part of the cell membrane. Cells of Brevibacterium sp. ATCC 13869 (wild type) were switched from the biotin-limited, producing state to the biotin-supplemented, non-producing state, and back. The following conclusions could be drawn: 1. It was not possible to detect any change in anisotropy by switching the cells from biotin-limited to biotin-supplemented, as well as from biotin-supplemented, to biotin-limited, media. 2. The anisotropy value in the glutamic acid fermentation remains constant during the lag, exponential, growth, production and stationary phases. 3. The treatment of cells with a neutral synthetic polyester of ethylene- and propyleneoxide with soya oil-fatty acids increased the anisotropy values, indicating incorporation of the surfactant. 4. Glutamate secretion is not coupled with membrane fluidity, so a leak providing a general fluidization of the membrane could not be detected.