[Effect of a deficiency of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and magnesium in the growth medium on the mechanical properties of Escherichia coli cell walls].

Values of modulus of elasticity of cell walls and strength level of cells Escherichia coli cultivated in the carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus deficient media or incubated in the magnesium-free medium were determined. Elastic modulus of cells grown in the magnesium-free medium was by two order of magnitude lower than that of the control cells. Elastic modulus of cells cultivated in the nitrogen and carbon deficient media was by one and two orders of magnitude lower than in the control cells whereas strength level was by 1.15 and 1.39 times higher, respectively. Elastic modulus of cells grown in the phosphorus deficient medium remained undetermined and strength level of those cells proved to be the lowest (0.9 of the control).