Bacterial Activities within the Sarcophagus of the Insectivorous Plant, Sarracenia Flava

Protein degradation within the liquor microcosm of the tall, southeastern trumpets, flycatchers, etc., is probably brought about by four different agents; namely acid hydrolysis and three kinds of enzymatic processes. Bacteria contribute to the over-all digestive processes when they enter with the first insects. The conditions under which proteolysis occurs are influenced by: (a) the number of insects which enter the pitcher, (b) the kinds of bacteria carried into the sarcophagus, (c) the optimum environment for the respective enzyme, (d) the interchange of materials between the pitcher leaf and the sarcophagus, (e) the acid-alkaline reactions within the liquor, (f) the physiological activities of the plant and, (g) the climatic factors under which the particular leaf is growing. The liquor changes from an acid to an alkaline reaction more rapidly during proteolysis than does sterile liquor held in vials. The change may be rapid or may occur quite slowly depending upon the ecological conditions within the sarcophagus of the plant. The plants apparently absorb materials from either acid or alkaline liquor. The succession of changes leads to a group of Gram-negative bacteria which become most abundant. Various natural selective processes eventually reduce both the numbers and kinds of bacteria present. The consortism is presumed to be one of commensalism.