Influence of Phosphate Starvation on Cultures of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The changes occurring in P. aeruginosa during phosphate starvation in a phosphate-deficient medium were assessed by measuring alterations in optical density, viable-cell count, chemical composition, and ribosome patterns. After a 24-hr. period of starvation, optical density, protein and deoxyribonucleic-acid per milliliter of culture increased, whereas ribonucleic-acid decreased. Extensive ribosomal degradation was apparent from sucrose density gradient centrifugation patterns. The induction of an alkaline phosphomonoesterase during phosphate starvation was observed. A linear response of phosphate-starved cells to low levels of phosphate supplied exogenously was evident from optical-density measurements, and a threshold requirement for phosphate analogous to the "energy of maintenance" was not detected.