THE EFFECT OF METALLIC IONS ON THE GROWTH AND MORPHOLOGY OF CLOSTRIDIUM PERFRINGENS

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Abstract
Using a cationic exchange resin ("permutit H"), a metal-deficient complex medium was obtained and employed to determine the major metallic ion growth requirements of C. perfringens. For optimum growth, Ca++, Mg++, Fe++, Na+, and K+ are required but not Zn++, Mn++, Co++, or Cu++. None of the latter metallic ions can replace those required for growth. In the absence of Ca++, cells grow in an aggregated state whereas Mg++ or K+ deficiency results in the growth of filamentous cells. In the presence of Cu++, which is growth-inhibitory, curved cells of normal size are obtained.