Metabolic studies on mycobacteria. V. A preliminary report on the ATP synthesis by mycobacteria including M. leprae by using different substrates.

By deletion and addition of various substrates in Sauton's and Dubos media, an experimental system has been standardised in which the role of various nutrients in the energy synthesis of mycobacteria can be determined. By using this system with cultivable mycobacteria it was observed that glycerol and asparagine are the important ingredients for ATP synthesis by mycobacteria. Glucose further enhanced the ATP synthesis and growth of these mycobacteria. In the media containing asparagine or glycerol, there was marginal increase in the ATP in the M. leprae suspensions initially but this was not sustained and there was no progressive increase in biomass or multiplication. When M. leprae was incubated in the media from which both these substrates were deleted, there was progressive decline in ATP levels right from the beginning. From these preliminary results, it appears that asparagine and glycerol may be useful as substrates for ATP synthesis by M. leprae and need to be investigated further. In depth studies are necessary to find out the factors which results in the inability of M. leprae to utilise these and other substrates in a substrained manner for its multiplication and growth in artificial media.