Temperature-Dependent Anomalies in the Growth of Microorganisms

Abstract

Davey , C. B. (North Carolina State University, Raleigh), Raymond J. Miller, and Larry A. Nelson . Temperature-dependent anomalies in the growth of microorganisms. J. Bacteriol. 91: 1827–1830. 1966.—Water in the liquid phase (0 to 100 C) has been shown, by others, to undergo subtle changes in its physical structure at approximately 15, 30, 45, and 60 C. It has been suggested that these temperature-dependent anomalies in the structure of water may have biological implications. After incubation in a polythermostat, direct cell counts were made to determine temperature-growth interactions for the four bacteria which were used to cover the temperature range from 5 to 70 C: Pseudomonas fragi , 5 to 25 C; Streptococcus faecalis , 20 to 40 C; Bacillus coagulans , 35 to 55 C; and B. stearothermophilus 1518 smooth, 50 to 70 C. In all cases, growth was suppressed at the predicted temperatures, suggesting a strong interaction between the structure of water and biological activity.