Microcalorimetry studies of energy changes during the growth of Klebsiella aerogenes in simple salts/glucose media. 3. The effect of growth temperature on energy conversion.

Calorimetric and growth data are reported for the growth of K. aerogenes in glucose-limited media over the temperature range 25 degrees to 42 degrees C. Rate constants for heat output, CO2 evolution and biomass production are maximal at 37 degrees C; the rate constant for heat output is greater than that for biomass production at growth temperatures less than 37 degrees C. Changes in the power-time profile indicate that different metabolic processes occur at the different temperatures even when aerobic conditions prevail. An energy budget has been established for each temperature, stored and waste energy are constant below 40 degrees C; at higher temperatures the stored energy decreases and the waste energy increases. The energy used for biosynthesis delta HB is maximal at 37 degrees C, and is probably dependent on the growth rate.