Further Observations on Nitroso-bacteria

Extract

Interesting results were obtained with cultures in ammonia agar, from them it is evident that the nitroso-bacterium grows readily through this medium whether inoculated on the centre of a plate or when covered with the agar jelly itself. Further, the presence of 5 to 10% of beef broth in the ammonia agar allows of better development.

Potassium phosphate agar containing bouillon gelatine but no free ammonia, on being inoculated with cultures of nitroso-bacteria, also developed nitrification; the organic matter was broken down, ammonia formed, and nitrites built up.

Nitrification in ordinary bouillon agar plates shows that organic matter does not necessarily form a barrier to the process; and further, that two of the cultures had only been fed with inorganic salts for three and four years respectively prior to the inoculation into the plates, is good evidence that gradual additions of organic matter are not absolutely necessary.

Calcium sulphate blocks allowed me to work with a larger amount of very active culture: from these it was found that urine was a very good culture medium indeed. Also that peptone water diluted with water, or peptone beef broth, milk, or blood serum diluted with ammonium sulphate could be used as culture media; sometimes these checked nitrification for a time but it afterwards became well established.

The experiments with undiluted urine were wholly successful and stand as a further proof of nitrification in presence of organic matter.

From these results it is clear that the nitroso-bacterium is a very powerful nitrite-forming micro-organism, that it is not readily destroyed, and that a certain amount of organic matter is essential to its greatest development, but for this a large amount of culture must be used.

In conclusion I have to offer my deepest thanks to Sir William Power for the great help that he has given me and for the kindness that he has always shown; also to others who have most kindly advised me my grateful thanks are due.