SUMMARY A semisynthetic medium has been devised that supports the growth of proteus but does not promote its swarming. Addition of a glycopeptide fraction of yeast extract to the medium promoted swarming. Batch-to-batch variation in activity of the glycopeptide fractions was found between samples of yeast extract, but the swarm-promoting capacity of a preparation of low activity was increased by raising the solubility of the complex with sodium chloride. The ability to promote swarming on a medium containing a low-activity glycopeptide fraction was increased by the addition of vitamins of the B group. It is suggested that glycopeptides, vitamins of the B group and amino acids are necessary factors in the promotion of swarming by proteus on solid media.
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Brogan et al. (1971) studied this question.