@article{mbs:/content/journal/micro/10.1099/00221287-28-3-547, author = "Provost, P. J. and Doetsch, R. N.", title = "An Appraisal of Caryophanon latum", journal= "Microbiology", year = "1962", volume = "28", number = "3", pages = "547-557", doi = "https://doi.org/10.1099/00221287-28-3-547", url = "https://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/micro/10.1099/00221287-28-3-547", publisher = "Microbiology Society", issn = "1465-2080", type = "Journal Article", abstract = "SUMMARY: Cultures of the giant bacterium Caryophanon latum Peshkoff, among them our own isolates from cow dung, were studied. A method for isolation is described. A fluid medium containing acid-hydrolysed casein, thiamine, biotin, sodium acetate, sodium butyrate and dipotassium phosphate, at pH 7.8, was devised which, without added colloids, allowed luxuriant growth of C. latum when sufficient aeration was provided. C. latum has been found to utilize acetic, butyric and β-hydroxybutyric acids. A variety of other carbon sources did not appear to be readily utilized by C. latum. The organism produced a carotenoid-like yellow pigment, the synthesis of which was inhibited by diphenylamine. A large amount of poly-β-hydroxybutyric acid (PHB) was synthesized by C. latum growing in the fluid medium described above. Much of the PHB was liberated as free granules. C. latum was found to be Gram-positive, in contrast to previously published reports.", }