EFFECT OF NUTRITIONAL FACTORS ON EXTRACELLULAR PROTEASE PRODUCTION BY PSEUDOMONAS LACHRYMANS

Abstract

Pseudomonas lachrymans produced an extracellular protease during late log phase in liquid media. Synthesis appeared constitutive, but was not strictly correlated with growth under varying cultural and nutritional conditions. Aeration of cultures led to more rapid enzyme production. Protease synthesis was related to the concentration of glutamic acid in the medium, but was virtually independent of sucrose concentration. Although inorganic N could not be utilized as a sole N source, it was removed from the media by bacteria in the presence of organic N and led to increased growth. Organic N appeared to be a primary determinant in protease production.