The amino acid composition of Streptococcus mutans and its culture medium supplemented with xylitol

Abstract

The amino and keto acid composition of the cells of Streptococcus mutans, strain Ingbritt, maintained and grown on a Trypticase-Phytone based medium without any added carbohydrate or supplemented with xylitol or glucose, was analyzed. the results showed no remarkable differences in the portions of individual amino acids liberated by acid hydrolysis from the cellular proteins of cells grown in the above mentioned media. However, the amount of free amino acids in the water extracts of the cells grown in the glucose medium differed considerably from those obtained from cells grown in the two other media. the amounts of free amino acids of the medium at the end of the growth period were higher in the glucose containing medium than in the two other media. the content of keto acids was lower in the cells grown in the presence of xylitol or without added carbohydrate when compared to those cells grown in glucose containing medium.