THE INFLUENCE OF Zn⁺⁺ ON THE FORMATION OF 2, 3- BUTANEDIOL IN BACILLUS POLYMYXA CULTURES

Abstract

Cultures of B. polymyxa containing sucrose as the substrate for growth produce increased quantities of 2, 3-butanediol if 0.01gm. of ZnSO₄ is present in the culture medium. This increase of 2, 3-butanediol formation has been observed up to 54 days. Cultures containing high concentrations of zinc ions show greater formation of 2, 3-butanediol up to 36 days of fermentation but afterwards the yield of the glycol decreases with the increasing period of fermentation.