Growth of Brucella in a Simple Chemically Denned Medium

Abstract

Zobell and Meyer 1 studied the metabolism of the Brucella in simplified media. In the absence of knowledge of the accessory growth factors required by this group only slight growth was obtained when such media were used. They were able however to show that certain strains of Brucella could utilize the ammonium ion as a source of nitrogen and various organic acids as a source of carbon and energy. They did not find that the simple sugars, including glucose, could serve as the sole source of carbon and energy. McNutt and Purwin 2 found that slight growth of some strains occurred with arabinose or xylose as the sole source of carbon. It is worthy of note that in these instances ingredients were used which are now known to carry various accessory growth factor substances as contaminants.

Koser, Breslove and Dorfman 3 were the first workers to obtain luxuriant growth of the Brucella in a chemically defined medium by the addition of known accessory growth factor substances. Their medium consisted of 17 amino acids, glucose, inorganic salts, and the appropriate accessory factors. Following the elucidation of at least some of the accessory growth factor requirements of this group it has become possible to obtain abundant growth factor requirements of this group it has become possible to obtain abundant growth of some strains of Brucella in a very simple chemically defined medium.