Carbohydrate starvation causes a metabolically active but nonculturable state in Lactococcus lactis.

ABSTRACT: This study characterized the ability of lactococci to become nonculturable under carbohydrate starvation while maintaining metabolic activity. We determined the changes in physiological parameters and extracellular substrate levels of multiple lactococcal strains under a number of environmental conditions along with whole-genome expression profiles. Three distinct phases were observed, logarithmic growth, sugar exhaustion, and nonculturability. Shortly after carbohydrate starvation, each lactococcal strain lost the ability to form colonies on solid media but maintained an intact cell membrane and metabolic activity for over 3.5 years. ML3, a strain that metabolized lactose rapidly, reached nonculturability within 1 week. Strains that metabolized lactose slowly (SK11) or not at all (IL1403)

SUBMITTER: Ganesan B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1855592 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature