[Chemical composition of cells of a chemostatic culture of Bacillus megaterium during exposure to an alkaline pH value].

The culture of Bacillus megaterium was grown under chemostat conditions at a rate of 0.2, 0.4 and 0.7 hr-1, the growth being limited by a low content of citrate, and at alkaline pH values. Critical pH values were obtained for each growth rate: 9.6, 9.2 and 7.6, respectively. The content of protein decreased at alkaline pH, while the synthesis of total lipids, poly-beta-hydroxybutric acid and phospholipids was stimulated. Some changes were found in the ratio between polyphosphates of high molecular weight.