The effect of varying sea salt concentration in the growth medium on the chemical composition of a purified membrane fraction fromPlanococcus citreus Migula

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Abstract
Membrane preparations were prepared from cells ofPlanococcus citreus grown in the presence of three final concentrations of sea salt in a basic growth medium. The concentration of salt in the medium affects the amount of membrane in the cell. The three preparations were subjected to chemical analysis and no significant changes in chemical composition were seen as the salt concentration in the medium was increased. Values for the various components generally were within normal ranges and were similar to those of non-halophiles rather than extreme halophiles. The protein levels were slightly higher and it is suggested that this may be advantageous in selectively maintaining the correct cellular ion balance. Atomic absorption analysis of the major cations associated with the membranes showed that divalent ions were present in a 2:1 ratio with 1971; Oliver and Colwell, 1973; Stern and Tietz, 1973; Kushwaha et al., 1974; Lanyi, 1974). However, changes in the overall membrane composition in mild halophiles in response to various concentrations of salt have received little attention, even though it has been known for some time (Salton and Freer, 1965) that the composition of a growth medium may alter the chemical composition of a bacterial membrane. This investigation was undertaken to determine whether any gross changes in composition occurred in membranes isolated from cells ofPlanococcus citreus Migula when it is grown in a basic medium supplemented with various amounts of sea salt.

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