Loss of Sensitivity to EDTA by Pseudomonas aeruginosa Grown under Conditions of Mg-Limitation

SUMMARY: Pseudomonas aeruginosa was grown in batch culture in simple salts medium under conditions of Mg-limitation and varying degrees of Mg-excess. Sensitivity to EDTA was measured in terms of lysis and decrease in colony count. The greater the degree of Mg-limitation the greater was the resistance to loss of viability and lysis. Loss of viability of sensitive bacteria occurred more rapidly than lysis. This suggests that bacterial death preceded cell lysis.