Effects of salt on growth of P. fluorescens

Alan Bohn and Liesel Hannes

November 30, 2011MB495 - Brown

How do salts affect growth of P. fluorescens?

• Common Anions and Cations

• Culture Density

• Lag phase

• Biphasic growth

Culture density independent of salt choice at low concentrations

NaCl

Magnesium has a negative effect as a cation

Inhibits Maximum culture density and casues biphasic growth

Biphasic Growth not a artifact of overnight culture

Magnesium has a negative effect as a cation

Inhibits maximum culture density and causes biphasic growth

Chloride ion in NaCl does not have a negative effect

Bromide ion has a severe negative effect

Summary of Conclusions

Culture density independent of salt choice at low concentrations

Magnesium cation salts have a negative effect on culture density

Bromide anion has a negative effect on culture density

Future Directions

• Investigate the biphasic growth observed in MgSO4 and MgCl2 salts

• Calculate ideal concentrations of the different salts

• Test additional salts

• Salt requirements under anaerobic conditions

Questions?