Effect of extra aeration on extracellular enzyme activities and ATP concentration of dairy Pseudomonas fluorescens.

The effect of forced aeration on extracellular enzyme synthesis during batch growth of a Pseudomonas fluorescens strain of dairy origin on pyruvate mineral salts medium at 7 degrees C was studied. Measurement of oxygen tension, electron micrographs to estimate cell volume, luciferase determination of ATP and plate counts were performed in the course of incubation. Cells from the stationary phase of growth had lower energy status (in terms of intracellular ATP concentration) in the cultures receiving surplus aeration. Those cells produced three times more extracellular proteinase and lipase than control cells. Onset time for production of both enzymes coincided with a sharp fall of intracellular ATP levels.