[Effect of the protein synthesis inhibitor chloramphenicol on the basic growth indices of continuous and periodic Bacillus megaterium cultures].

The action of chloramphenicol, a specific inhibitor of bacterial growth and an inhibitor of protein synthesis, was studied in the conditions of continuous and batch cultivation. Steady states of the population within the range of D from 0.2 to 0.7 hr-1 were obtained at a concentration of the antibiotic equal to 20 microgram per liter. The shape of the chemostat curve in the presence of chloramphenicol in the medium indicates that the antibiotic slightly decreases mu max and considerably diminished Y. A change of limiting factors occurs along the chemostat curve at different dilution rates (0.2, 0.4 and 0.7 hr-1): one-, two- and three-factor effects on the population were observed. Steady states of the population in the chemostat are possible by chloramphenicol concentrations of 10 to 100 microgram per litre; in this case, cellular metabolism changes in the following nonspecific way: less effective energy processes are activated, the Y decreases as well as protein content in the cells, but the content of poly-beta-hydroxybutyric acid in the biomass increases. If chloramphenicol is taken at a concentration of 1000 microgram per litre (a dose strongly inhibiting the growth rate), other changes specific for this inhibitor are found: the content of protein decreases while that of RNA increases, and substances of nucleotide nature are released into the medium. The changes remain for many generations. The data show that it is possible to change the ratio between cell polymers in growing population.