The free amino acids in growing and non-growing populations of Escherichia coli

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Abstract
~Coliform bacteria grown in a medium containing glucose and inorganic salts contained at least 15 amino acids in the free state. Together these constituted 0.25-1.5% of the dry weight, depending upon the type of bacteria. The total free amino acid content varied directly with the specific growth rate of the bacteria. The results support the theory that there is a limited number of adsorption sites for each amino acid. Retention of the free amino acids within the cell was linked with energy metabolism. When bacteria were starved of N or C, free amino acids accumulated; later shown to be the result of protein degradation. The possible role of the free amino acids in protein synthesis is discussed.