Dense autotrophic cultures of Alcaligenes eutrophus

Abstract

Alcaligenes eutrophus was grown autotrophically in 23-liter batch cultures in a controlled H2-O2-CO2 atmosphere. It was demonstrated that the need for periodic supplements of individual nutrients could be anticipated before cell growth depleted these nutrients to the point of becoming growth rate limiting. As a result, exponential growth was extended to optical densities of 44, with doubling times maintained at 2 h. Cultures having an initial optical density of 0.040 to 0.70 reached the final optical density of 60 in about 25 h. The final viable count was 1.2 X 10(11) cells per ml, and the dry weight was 25 g/liter.