[Influence of aeration and phosphorus concentration in the medium on growth of S-, R- and M-forms of Mycobacterium lacticolum in mixed cultures].

S, R and M forms of Mycobacterium lacticolum were compared. The cells of the R form had the highest requirement in aeration and phosphorus, whereas the cells of the M form, the lowest requirement. The content of oxygen in the medium and the concentration of phosphorus almost did not affect the viriability of these forms. On a medium containing n-hexadecane, the cells of the R form possessed selective advantages under favourable growth conditions, i.e. when the content of oxygen and phosphorus in the medium was high, whereas the cells of the M form had selective advantages under unfavourable conditions of growth when it decelerated as a result of a low concentration of oxygen and phosphorus in the medium. These correlations changed on a medium containing carbohydrates.