Comparative Metabolism of the R and S Variants of Lactobacillus plantarum (Orla-Jensen)

Abstract

The extreme variability in fermentation reactions of lactobacilli is well known. Weiss and Rettger (1934), Curran, Rogers andWhittier (1933), andHowitt (1930) have ably reviewed this subject.The alterations in fermentative reactions have seldom however been clearly correlated with colonial dissociation. Roos (1927) isolated from one strain of Lactobacillus acidophilus three distinct fermentative and colonial types. Hadley, Bunting and Delves (1930) found that R variants obtained from S strains of oral aciduric bacteria fermented glucose readily but differed slightly in their reactions to the S type on other sugars. R variants, designated as group III, fermented glucose and showed depressed activity with other sugars. Curran, Rogers and Whittier (1933) separated aciduric strains by correlating colony form, effect of temperature on growth, type of lactic acid produced and fermentation reaction. Kopeloff and Kopeloff (1937) observed that R variants of L. acidophilus produced inactive lactic acid while the S type produced d lactic acid. R variants of Lactobacillus bulgaricus developed both d lactic and inactive lactive acid.The present study demonstrates a correlation of colony type and fermentative reaction of Lactobacillus plantarum. A marked depression of carbohydrate activity along with a definite enhancement of non-saccharolytic properties is noted in the dissociation of S to R. ORIGIN OF CULTUREThe lactobacillus used in this study was originally isolated as the S type from olive brine (Tracy, 1934). During the several 467

Degenerative Processes in a Strain of Clostridium Butylicum

“…From these experiments it appears that the "degeneration phenomenon" described is a further example of the well known S -> R variation. A similar connection between metabolic changes and S -* R variation apparent in our experiments has been described previously, notably by Tracy (1938) in the case of Lactobacillus plantarum.…”

Dissociants of Lactobacilli

“…Kopeloff (1934) and Raney and Kopeloff (1934) observed that dissociation from rough to smooth was common with L. acidophilus. Tracy (1938) was able to obtain rough and smooth types of colonies from a culture of Lactobacillus plantarum in which the dissociation was smooth to rough. The rough culture was very stable but the smooth culture remained stable only if transfers in glucose broth were made once or twice a week.…”

Polysaccharide Synthesis by a Variant of Leuconostoc Dextranicum

“…For example, Harrison (1942) found that in certain lactobacilli loss of the type-specific polysaccharide was accompanied by loss of ability to ferment mannitol and sorbitol. Tracy (1938) demonstrated that the S -+ R change in Lactobacillus plantarum was correlated with loss of ability by the R strain to form acid from various sugars, and in acquisition by the R form of an ability to grow in carbohydrate-free media.…”