THE ROLE OF ANTIBIOTICS IN THE DECOMPOSITION OF SAWDUST: I. INHIBITION OF THE GROWTH OF CELLULOSE-DECOMPOSING BACTERIA

It has been shown that 'deal' sawdust contains substances which inhibit the growth of cellulose-decomposing bacteria of the genera Sporocytophaga and Cellulomonas , the former being the more sensitive. The substances can be extracted with water or a mildly alkaline solution of inorganic salts, the latter being rather more effective. The extracted material is acidic but still exhibits activity even after neutralization, especially towards Sporocytophaga. Sawdust which has been extracted with water or the alkaline solution, or neutralized by admixture with calcium carbonate, no longer prevents the growth of Cellulomonas on added filter paper cellulose, although there is a delay before the attack becomes evident, but Sporocytophaga is still completely inhibited under all three conditions.