Pronase-susceptible floc forming bacteria: relationship between flocculation and calcium ion.

Six strains of floc-forming bacteria belonging to Flavobacterium were isolated from activated sludge which were deflocculated by Pronase treatment. The flocculated cells of the strain B, one of the isolates, was deflocculated not only by Pronase, but also by ethylenediaminetetraacetate. Growth was stimulated when Pronase was added in the medium. An adequate amount of calcium ion in the medium was required for flocculation. No flocculation was observed, however, when calcium was added to the cells grown with a low level of calcium. Deflocculation was observed at the late stationary phase and the onset of deflocculation depended on the concentrations of calcium in the medium. The higher concentrations delayed the deflocculation. The flocs formed in the presence of calcium over 0.5mM in the medium became resistant to the Pronase treatment.