Growth Characteristics and Substrate Specificity of Aerobic Photosynthetic Bacterium, Erythrobacter Sp. (OCh 114)

Optimal growth conditions and substrate specificity of the aerobic photosynthetic bacterium, Erythrobacter sp. (OCh 114), were investigated. Erythrobacter utilized 19 out of 26 substrates tested, including several sugars and amino acids. Glycerol and lactate were the most effective as electron donors or carbon sources. Maximum growth was obtained at a salinity of about 25‰, pH 8–9 and temperature 28°C in a glycerol-enriched medium. A suitable growth medium for Erythrobacter sp. (OCh 114) is proposed.