The response by microorganisms to steady state growth in controlled concentrations of oxygen and glucose. I. Candida utilis

Dissolved oxygen and glucose concentrations have been independently maintained at various concentrations for extended periods during growth of Candida utilis in continuous culture. Simultaneous observations of cytochrome concentration, growth rate, rates of uptake of oxygen and glucose and rates of production of CO2, ethanol and acid have been made during steady states at various levels of oxygen and glucose. There is an inverse relationship between dissolved oxygen and cytochrome and between glucose cocentration and cytochrome. Studies of the transient state following a step change from high to low dissolved oxygen show that there is a lag of about 10 hr during which there is no change in the above parameters. This is followed by rapid oscillatory changes in cytochrome content and a change to a more fermentative metabolism.