Effect of various culturing conditions of Acholeplasma laidlawii on the yield and properties of the cells and cell membrane.

Acholeplasma laidlawii strain B cell cultured in complex medium have an optimal temperature of growth at 31 degrees. Maximal growth at this temperature is 80% higher than at 37 degrees. By stirring of the culture, the yield of the cell mass of 4 liter-cultures increases by 200%. With these modifications the yield of cell membranes increases 3--4 times with respect to that of static culturing at 37 degrees. Membranes obtained from better aerated cultures have a lower flavin and carotenoid content. Membranes obtained from agitated cultures show a higher content of the more insoluble membrane-core proteins. It is suggested that these proteins play a role in membrane and cell adhesiveness.