Behaviour of Propionibacterium shermanii in alkaline medium.

Physiological and morphological properties of Propionibacterium shermanii were estimated in a liquid semisynthetic medium of initial pH between 7-10. Prolongation of the lag phase and a shift of the stationary phase occurred at higher initial pH values of the medium. The growth response of the strain depended on the way of glucose addition (either sterilized in the medium or added aseptically after sterilization). At pH 8.5 and higher the cells begin to form slime and capsules. The strain exhibited growth activity even at initial pH values of the medium 11.5