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Heterotrophy in Diatoms
Abstract
SUMMARY: Forty-two bacteria-free cultures of pennate diatoms from fresh water or soil were tested for ability to grow heterotrophically with glucose as the sole carbon source. Thirteen of these isolates proved capable of growth under these conditions. They comprised seven isolates of Navicula pelliculosa, five of other different species of Navicula, and one of Nitzschia (?) fonticola.
One isolate of Navicula pelliculosa was tested for its ability to grow heterotrophically on any one of sixty organic compounds. Only glucose, glycerol, and fructose were found to be effective in supporting growth. Glucose was metabolized both in the dark, and in the light in the absence of CO2. Glycerol and fructose were not utilized in the dark, but supported growth in the light in the absence of CO2.
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© Society for General Microbiology 1953