Abstract
Summary
1. S. pyogenes, strain S23, grows rapidly in glucose broth, forms large amounts of hyaluronic acid throughout the growth period and induces a rapid fall in the pH of the medium. In galactose broth growth is slower, polysaccharide formation is diminished, occurring only during the first 2 or 3 hours of growth and the reaction of the medium remains above pH 7.0 for a much longer period of time. 2. While no hyaluronidase could be detected in glucose culture supernates, a small amount of activity was detected in galactose supernates. It was not of sufficient magnitude to account for the low levels of hyaluronic acid in galactose cultures. 3. Maintenance of galactose broth cultures at pH 7.8-8.0 did not increase hyaluronic acid formation. 4. It has been shown that neither endogenous cell substance nor infusion reducing sugar serve as raw materials for capsule synthesis in galactose broth. 5. A direct correlation between hyaluronic acid formation and galactose concentration could not be established. 6. From the data obtained, it seems likely that galactose is not directly involved in hyaluronic acid formation, but that an unidentified component of the infusion is utilized for this purpose.
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