Effect of various peptides on the growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Ten oligopeptides containing asparagine, glutamic acid, leucine or alanine on growth of Bacillus tuberculosis were tested. The experiments were performed on AS medium free of peptones. Bacterial suspensions were inoculated and the number of colonies and rapidity of bacilli growth under an influence of peptides tested was compared. Out of peptides studied and their different combinations the best turned to be combination of 0.01% glutathione +0.002% Gly-Asn + 0.0033% Leu-Gly. This combination allowed to appear on average 46% colonies more than on medium without peptides and first growth of tubercle bacilli was seen on average 3.2 days earlier than on medium free of peptides. Addition to the medium containing three above listed peptides of 0.1% of Bacto Tryptone (Difco) caused an increase of 127% of colony number of tubercle bacilli and their growth appeared 1.7 day earlier as compared to growth on medium containing these three peptides.