NATURE OF THE GROWTH FACTOR FOR THE COLORLESS ALGA PROTOTHECA ZOPFII

Abstract

Barker's study on the nutritive requirements of Prototheca zopfii indicated that this colorless alga fails to grow in the absence of small amounts of yeast extract. A study of the growth factor requirements of Prototheca has shown that the active constituent of yeast extract necessary for the growth of this organism is thiamin (vitamin B1). Thiamin can fully replace the complex yeast material and allows, in the basal medium used, a maximum cell yield in concentrations of 1–3 x 10–7 M. Thiamin as such, however, is not essential for the growth of Prototheca zopfii. The alga can develop equally well if supplied with both the thiazole and pyrimidine constituents of this vitamin. These appear to be needed in equimolar proportions. Maximum cell yield is obtained with 3 x 10–8 M concentrations of the two components.