The Utilization of Nitrogenous Organic Compounds and Sodium Salts of Organic Acids by Certain Soil Algae in Darkness and in the Light

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Abstract
Pure cultures, free from bacteria, of Pleu-rococcus sp., Cystococcus sp., Chlorella sp. (?), Scenedes-mus costulatus var. chlorelloides (?), and an unidentified strain of green algae were grown in liquid and agarized Moore''s solution in diffuse sunlight and in total darkness. To these media were added glucose, gelatin, peptone, egg albumin, casein, and citric, lactic, malic, oxalic, succinic, and tartaric acids (brought to [rho]H 6-0 with NaOH). The organic compounds (except oxalic acid) caused an increased growth of some of the algae when grown both in light and darkness on slightly hydrolyzed agar. Glucose and the organic N compounds served as the sole source of energy in varying degrees for some of the algae when grown in total darkness in liquid media. The organic acids (except oxalic acid) supported a slight and delayed growth of 3 of the sp., but none of the algae was able to use all of the acids tested.