@article{mbs:/content/journal/micro/10.1099/00221287-51-3-325, author = "Webb, M.", title = "The Influence of Certain Trace Metals on Bacterial Growth and Magnesium Utilization", journal= "Microbiology", year = "1968", volume = "51", number = "3", pages = "325-335", doi = "https://doi.org/10.1099/00221287-51-3-325", url = "https://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/micro/10.1099/00221287-51-3-325", publisher = "Microbiology Society", issn = "1465-2080", type = "Journal Article", abstract = "SUMMARY: The uptake of Mg2+ in Mg2+-limited cultures of the Gram-negative Escherichia coli is rapid and is complete some time before the onset of the stationary phase. In similar cultures of the Gram-positive Bacillus megaterium and B. subtilis F3 growth and Mg2+ assimilation cease at the same time and when only part of the available Mg2+ has been utilized; thereafter efflux of the cation may occur. In these cultures, as in dilute suspensions of the bacilli in a Mg2+-deficient medium, viability is maintained in a high percentage of the organisms, and growth occurs on the addition of Mg2+ even if this is delayed for 20 hr. The minimum growth-requirement for Mg2+ varies for different Gram-positive bacilli and is particularly low for Bacillus subtilis var. niger. The response of this organism to Mg2+ is unaffected by Mn2+. The Mg2+ requirements of B. megaterium and B. subtilis F3, however, are reduced by 25 μM Mn2+. Although this concentration of Mn2+ is unable to support growth of these bacilli in the complete absence of Mg2+, it appears to stimulate the uptake of the latter cation from dilute solutions. Mn2+ also is assimilated during growth by both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, although less efficiently than Mg2+, and is incorporated into the ribosomes.", }