An elevation of the molar growth yield of Zymomonas mobilis during aerobic exponential growth

Abstract

Elevated values of molar growth yield (Y_x/s = 14–26 g mol^–1) were obtained during exponential growth (μ > 0.4 h^–1) of Zymomonas mobilis ATCC 29191 by using reduced concentrations of glucose (6.25–100 mM) and increased oxygen supply (E _h > 300 mV) in the growth medium, as compared to the Y_x/s of anaerobic exponential growth (8–10 g mol^–1). Aerobically grown cells showed an increased maximum growth rate (μ_max), and a reduced specific glucose consumption rate (q_s), and specific ethanol formation rate (q_p), thus demonstrating a more pronounced energy-coupling growth under oxic conditions. These results can be neither explained by the concept of a solely operating Entner-Doudoroff pathway as an ATP source in aerobically growing cultures of Z. mobilis nor considered to be consistent with existing data on the lack of the Pasteur effect in this bacterium. Therefore, the results rather give evidence for the essential contribution of aerobic ATP generation under the reported conditions.