INFLUENCE OF SUGARS ON THE GROWTH OF LACTOBACILLUS FERMENTI 36

1. Reduction of the glucose amount in the MaciasR medium for thiamine assay using Lactobacillus fermenti 36 to half the amount (20mg per tube) resulted in the maximal growth of the bacterium after 18-hour incubation. Glucose more than 20mg per tube was not utilized, but it rather inhibited the growth of the bacterium. 2. Exchange of glucose with fructose or maltose in the MaciasR medium failed to show the better growth. 3. Xylose was not effective in place of glucose, but it has a growth-promoting activity on the bacterium in addition to glucose. 4. The growth-promoting effect of xylose was not specific. Ribose showed a rather greater effect than xylose on the growth, but other pentoses had no growth-promoting effect.