AN ASSAY PROCEDURE AND PARTIAL CHARACTERIZATION OF A FACTOR IN YEAST AUTOLYSATE ESSENTIAL FOR THE GROWTH OF ACETOBACTER GLUCONICUM STRAIN 2G

An assay procedure is described for an unknown factor in yeast autolysate essential for the growth of the assay organism, Acetobacter gluconicum strain 2G. The experimental evidence appears to suggest the following characteristics for the substance or substances in yeast autolysate: unaffected by acid or alkaline hydrolysis; more soluble in alcohol and acetone than chloroform; extractable by ethyl ether at pH 2.0, but not at pH 10; and growth-promoting activity is associated with material adsorbed by an anionic but not by a cationic resin. The evidence appears to indicate that the growth-promoting activity in yeast autolysate is associated with acidic substances.