Effect of sodium on the transport and utilization of citric acid by Aerobacter (Enterobacter) aerogenes.

Sodium inhibited citrate uptake by two of the four strains of Aerobacter (Enterobacter) aerogenes used in these studies, had no effect on one strain, and stimulated citrate uptake by one strain. Two of the four strains grew well anaerobically on citrate in the presence of Na(+), one grew poorly, and one grew not at all either in the presence or absence of Na(+). Na(+) stimulated the aerobic growth of one strain on citrate, increased the total growth but not the rate of growth of one strain, and prolonged the lag phase but not the rate of growth or total growth of two strains. The experimental data reported herein, therefore, indicate that there are appreciable physiological differences among strains of A. aerogenes.