活性污泥菌胶团/生物絮团形成菌的分离鉴定及基因组分析

从云南省泸西县的污水处理厂分离到一株菌胶团形成菌YN12, 经过鉴定与象牙白伪杜擀氏菌(Pseudoduganella eburnea)10R5-21T模式株具有较近的亲缘关系, 属于同一物种。为揭示该菌株与其他活性污泥细菌间菌胶团形成机制及碳源利用方面的异同, 对该菌株进行全基因组测序、组装、注释及比较基因组学分析。结果表明: P. eburnea YN12株基因组大小约为5934 kb, G+C含量为63.9%, 包含5313个蛋白质编码序列, 具有与喜树脂动胶菌(Zoogloea resiniphila)MMB株、解叔丁醇水居菌(Aquincola tertiaricarbonis)RN12株及解壳聚糖松江菌(Mitsuaria chitosanitabida)XHY-A6株相似的胞外多糖生物合成途径、PrsK-PrsR双组分系统和PEP-CTERM胞外蛋白家族, 共同介导和调控的菌胶团形成机制。与后者相比, 菌株YN12中胞外多聚物(Extracellular polymeric substances, EPS)形成相关基因集中在大小约为72 kb的大型基因簇上, 且能吸收利用的碳源特别是单糖、二糖和多糖更为丰富多样。同时, 我们还从河流及养殖水体中也分离到象牙白伪杜擀氏菌, 这些菌株可用于生物絮团技术(Biofloc Technology), 改善水产养殖水质。     

活性污泥微生物胞外多聚物生物合成途径与菌胶团形成的调控机制

活性污泥法是借助活性污泥微生物菌胶团形成来实现泥水重力分离和部分污泥回用,辅以曝气供氧,在曝气池中高密度的微生物细胞可将溶解性有机污染物迅速降解、转化后为己所用,外排的剩余污泥带走大量有机质和氮磷,水质得以净化。活性污泥微生物所合成的胶质状胞外多聚物(Extracellular polymeric substances,EPS)是污泥菌胶团形成必不可少的"黏合剂",吸水性极高,这也造成剩余污泥难以处置和利用。我们初步总结了活性污泥微生物宏基因组研究概况,利用分子遗传学和基因组学手段,对活性污泥优势种动胶菌(Zoogloea)和其他菌胶团形成菌的EPS生物合成途径和菌胶团形成与调控机制加以研究,鉴定出一个约40 kb的胞外多糖生物合成大型基因簇和一个由7个基因组成的小型基因簇,该基因簇中除胞外多糖合成相关基因外,还编码组氨酸激酶Prs K和反应调节蛋白Prs R双组分系统,可激活RpoNσ因子共同调控一类称之为PEP-CTERM的新型胞外蛋白质的表达,参与菌胶团的形成。PEP-CTERM富含天冬酰胺(缩写为Asn或者N)残基,可能与胞外多糖通过N-连锁的糖基化形成复合物,包裹微生物细胞群体来介导菌胶团的形成。类似的PEP-CTERM基因和胞外多糖合成基因簇在许多重要的活性污泥细菌如聚磷菌和全程氨氧化菌中存在,说明这些细菌也是菌胶团形成菌,可通过污泥沉淀和回用在活性污泥中得以富集。这些研究结果可供活性污泥膨胀控制、污泥减量和剩余污泥资源和能源回收利用参考。     

Improved Staining of Extracellular Polymer for Electron Microscopy: Examination of Azotobacter, Zoogloea, Leuconostoc, and Bacillus

Phase contrast, ultraviolet microscopy, and freeze-etching were used to determine the amount of exocellular polymer surrounding unfixed cells of four genera of bacteria: Azotobacter vinelandii, Zoogloea ramigera, Leuconostoc mesenteroides, and an acid-tolerant, floc-forming Bacillus species. Thin-sectional electron microscopy was employed to measure the effectiveness of a modified ruthenium red staining method. The results obtained with this modification of ruthenium red staining technique were compared to results obtained when previously proposed ruthenium red methods of fixation were employed. The results of these relations were then compared to the amounts of exocellular material as determined with phase-contrast microscopy, ultraviolet microscopy, and freeze-etching. The data obtained indicate that improved fixation of exocellular polymer is achieved when cells are pretreated with ruthenium red as described herein. In addition, the modified methods also reveal cytological detail not apparent when other methods of ruthenium fixation are employed.     

Effect of cadmium on composition and diversity of bacterial communities in activated sludges

Microbial communities of two kinds of activated sludge for removing carbon, nitrogen and phosphate (nutrient removal sludge) were identified and compared by combining cloning–denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis methods. The sludges were sampled in an anaerobic–anoxic–oxic system operating under the same conditions, except for one without the addition of cadmium (Cd0) and the other with addition of 5 mg cadmium l⁻¹ (Cd5). Bacteria in the phylum Proteobacteria were predominant in both Cd0 and Cd5 sludges (39.6% and 35.1% of total bacteria, respectively). However, bacteria in the class Betaproteobacteria were significantly more abundant in Cd0 than in Cd5 sludge (30.7% and 2.1%, respectively). Species related to nutrient removal, such as nitrifying bacteria (Nitrosomonas communis), floc-forming bacteria (Zoogloea ramigera) and phosphate-accumulating organisms (Rubrivivax gelatinosus), were the predominant species in Cd0 sludge, but were not found in Cd5 sludge. Cadmium was significantly toxic to the bacterial community in nutrient removal sludge, especially to the bacteria in the Betaproteobacteria. The comparison of microbial communities between these two kinds of sludge was further discussed in the paper.     

Isolation and characterization of heterotrophic bacteria able to grow aerobically with quaternary ammonium alcohols as sole source of carbon and nitrogen

The quaternary ammonium alcohols (QAAs) 2,3-dihydroxypropyl-trimethyl-ammonium (TM), dimethyl-diethanol-ammonium (DM) and methyl-triethanol-ammonium (MM) are hydrolysis products of their parent esterquat surfactants, which are widely used as softeners in fabric care. We isolated several bacteria growing with QAAs as the sole source of carbon and nitrogen. The strains were compared with a previously isolated TM-degrading bacterium, which was identified as a representative of the species Pseudomonas putida (Syst. Appl. Microbiol. 24 (2001) 252). Two bacteria were isolated with DM, referred to as strains DM 1 and DM 2, respectively. Based on 16S-rDNA analysis, they provided 97% (DM 1) and 98% (DM 2) identities to the closest related strain Zoogloea ramigera Itzigsohn 1868AL. Both strains were long, slim, motile rods but only DM 1 showed the floc forming activity, which is typical for representatives of the genus Zoogloea. Using MM we isolated a Gram-negative, non-motile rod referred to as strain MM 1. The 16S-rDNA sequence of the isolated bacterium revealed 94% identities (best match) to Rhodobacter sphaeroides only. The strains MM 1 and DM 1 exclusively grew with the QAA which was used for their isolation. DM 2 was also utilizing TM as sole source of carbon and nitrogen. However, all of the isolated bacteria were growing with the natural and structurally related compound choline.     

The half-saturation coefficient for dissolved oxygen: A dynamic method for its determination and its effect on dual species competition

A simple approach was developed to determine the half-saturation coefficient for dissolved oxygen (K(DO)) for three bacteria by maintaining a constant oxygen concentration in continuous culture, and employing a dynamic method to obtain the specific growth rate (mu) for each species. Measurement of mu at selected dissolved oxygen concentrations (DO) resulted in a typical Monod curve for a plot of mu vs. DO. Values for K(DO) and mu(max) were obtained from the Lineweaver-Burk reciprocal plot. The bacteria studied included representative strains of three microorganisms isolated in pure culture from poorly settling activated sludge: two filamentous microorganisms, Sphaerotilus natans and a second Sphaerotilus sp., and an unidentified floc-forming microorganism. The K(DO) values obtained for Sphaerotilus sp., S. natans, and the floc former were 0.014, 0.033, and 0.073 mg/L, respectively. Dual species competition experiments were conducted in continuous culture under low and high DO conditions. Successful growth competition by these microorganisms under DO-limiting conditions was consistent with experimentally determined K(DO) values. The finding of lower K(DO) values for the two Sphaerotilus species, compared to the floc former, confirmed the hypothesis that these filamentous microorganisms can outgrow floc-forming microorganisms in activated sludge when DO in the aeration basin is low.     

Formation of cellulose fibrils by gram-negative bacteria and their role in bacterial flocculation

Summary Exocellular fibrils, consisting of true cellulose, were found to be produced by many bacteria. These bacteria have been selected out of a large number of strains isolated from activated sludge on the basis of their flocculent growth habit in liquid medium.The amount of cellulose, present in the bacterial flocs, varied from 1.0 to 4.0%. In addition to strains isolated from activated sludge, like Pseudomonas, Achromobacter, Alcaligenes and Aerobacter, also strains of the genera Rhizobium, Agrobacterium and Azotobacter were found to give flocculent growth due to the formation of cellulose fibrils.Bacterial flocculation in pure cultures of the strains examined was mainly caused by the production of exocellular fibrils. Apparently, the formation of cellulose fibrils seems to be a common property of Gram-negative, floc-forming bacteria, and may not be restricted to Acetobacter xylinum.     

Characterization of the bacterial microflora of the tympanic cavity of eastern box turtles with and without aural abscesses

Aerobic bacterial cultures of the tympanic cavity of the middle ear were performed in eight eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina) with aural abscesses and 15 eastern box turtles without aural abscesses (controls) that were admitted to The Wildlife Center of Virginia, Virginia, USA during 2003. Twenty-two bacterial isolates were identified from 17 turtles including 10 gram-negative and 12 gram-positive bacteria. Ten of 15 control animals had bacterial growth, resulting in identification of 13 bacteria, including six gram-negative and seven gram-positive agents. Seven of eight turtles with aural abscesses had bacterial growth, and 10 isolates were identified, including four gram-negative and six gram-positive organisms. The most frequently isolated bacteria from control animals were Micrococcus luteus (n = 3) and Pantoea agglomerans (n = 2). Morganella morganii (n = 2) was the only species isolated from the tympanic cavity of more than one turtle with aural abscesses. Staphylococcus epidermidis (n = 2) was the only species isolated from both groups. A trend toward greater bacterial growth in tympanic cavities of affected turtles compared with turtles without aural abscesses was noted. No single bacterial agent was responsible for aural abscesses in free-ranging eastern box turtles in this study, an observation consistent with the hypothesis that aerobic bacteria are not primary pathogens, but secondary opportunistic invaders of environmental origin.     

Experimental apparatus for selection of adherent microorganisms under stringent growth conditions.

A bioreactor apparatus is described for studying bacterial attachment. A cyclic, on-off, flow regime was imposed within the apparatus. Model calculations illustrate the utility of this flow pattern in the selection and maintenance of slow-growing, adherent organisms. The apparatus is believed to have general utility in testing bacterial attachment influenced by many types of experimental or environmental constraints, including variations in fluid dynamics, presence of toxic substances (metals or organics), nature of the substratum surface, concentrations of limiting nutrients, and competition between bacterial strains. As an example application, the apparatus was employed to test 14 bacterial strains for surface attachment in a nutrient-limited growth medium. The medium was developed, using the chemical equilibrium program MINEQL, for planned studies of biofilms in a solution with a chemically defined composition that permits calculation of trace metal speciation. The apparatus was used to select organisms with growth and attachment characteristics that could not be evaluated by conventional batch, or chemostat, culture conditions. When supplied with acetate, pyruvate, or succinate as a carbon and energy source, the gram-negative strains Pseudomonas cepacia 17616 and Zoogloea sp. WGO4 showed superior attachment characteristics to glass surfaces in the chemically defined medium but only moderate fluid-phase growth. The gram-positive Arthrobacter sp. strain 9G4D and gram-negative species P. pickettii and Zoogloea sp. WNJ8, when supplied with pyruvate as a carbon and energy source, were capable of superior growth in the fluid phase but formed only a low to moderate biofilm surface coverage.     

Experimental apparatus for selection of adherent microorganisms under stringent growth conditions

A bioreactor apparatus is described for studying bacterial attachment. A cyclic, on-off, flow regime was imposed within the apparatus. Model calculations illustrate the utility of this flow pattern in the selection and maintenance of slow-growing, adherent organisms. The apparatus is believed to have general utility in testing bacterial attachment influenced by many types of experimental or environmental constraints, including variations in fluid dynamics, presence of toxic substances (metals or organics), nature of the substratum surface, concentrations of limiting nutrients, and competition between bacterial strains. As an example application, the apparatus was employed to test 14 bacterial strains for surface attachment in a nutrient-limited growth medium. The medium was developed, using the chemical equilibrium program MINEQL, for planned studies of biofilms in a solution with a chemically defined composition that permits calculation of trace metal speciation. The apparatus was used to select organisms with growth and attachment characteristics that could not be evaluated by conventional batch, or chemostat, culture conditions. When supplied with acetate, pyruvate, or succinate as a carbon and energy source, the gram-negative strains Pseudomonas cepacia 17616 and Zoogloea sp. WGO4 showed superior attachment characteristics to glass surfaces in the chemically defined medium but only moderate fluid-phase growth. The gram-positive Arthrobacter sp. strain 9G4D and gram-negative species P. pickettii and Zoogloea sp. WNJ8, when supplied with pyruvate as a carbon and energy source, were capable of superior growth in the fluid phase but formed only a low to moderate biofilm surface coverage.     

Flocculent phenotypes in wine yeasts

The floc-forming ability of highly flocculent wine yeasts isolated from musts and wines was tested for susceptibility to heat and proteinase treatments. Four phenotypes were discriminated by treatments with pronase, proteinase K, trypsin and chymotrypsin. The most common phenotype was irreversibly lost only upon treatment with pronase, whereas the floc-forming ability was resistant to the action of proteinase K, trypsin and chymotrypsin. Another flocculent phenotype, represented by only one strain 6789, was resistant to the action of all proteolytic enzymes. The effect of high temperature on floc-forming ability in the presence or absence of Ca²⁺ions resulted in all the possible combinations and did not aid further general discrimination of flocculent phenotypes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains from wine.     

Isolation and partial characterization of bacteria in an anaerobic consortium that mineralizes 3-chlorobenzoic Acid

A methanogenic consortium able to use 3-chlorobenzoic acid as its sole energy and carbon source was enriched from anaerobic sewage sludge. Seven bacteria were isolated from the consortium in mono- or coculture. They included: one dechlorinating bacterium (strain DCB-1), one benzoate-oxidizing bacterium (strain BZ-2), two butyrate-oxidizing bacteria (strains SF-1 and NSF-2), two H(2)-consuming methanogens (Methanospirillum hungatei PM-1 and Methanobacterium sp. strain PM-2), and a sulfate-reducing bacterium (Desulfovibrio sp. strain PS-1). The dechlorinating bacterium (DCB-1) was a gram-negative, obligate anaerobe with a unique "collar" surrounding the cell. A medium containing rumen fluid supported minimal growth; pyruvate was the only substrate found to increase growth. The bacterium had a generation time of 4 to 5 days. 3-Chlorobenzoate was dechlorinated stoichiometrically to benzoate, which accumulated in the medium; the rate of dechlorination was ca. 0.1 pmol bacterium day. The benzoate-oxidizing bacterium (BZ-2) was a gram-negative, obligate anaerobe and could only be grown as a syntroph. Benzoate was the only substrate observed to support growth, and, when grown in coculture with M. hungatei, it was fermented to acetate and CH(4). One butyrate-oxidizing bacterium (NSF-2) was a gram-negative, non-sporeforming, obligate anaerobe; the other (SF-1) was a gram-positive, sporeforming, obligate anaerobe. Both could only be grown as syntrophs. The substrates observed to support growth of both bacteria were butyrate, 2-dl-methylbutyrate, valerate, and caproate; isobutyrate supported growth of only the sporeforming bacterium (SF-1). Fermentation products were acetate and CH(4) (from butyrate, isobutyrate, or caproate) or acetate, propionate, and CH(4) (from 2-dl-methylbutyrate or valerate) when grown in coculture with M. hungatei. A mutualism among at least the dechlorinating, benzoate-oxidizing, and methane-forming members was apparently required for utilization of the 3-chlorobenzoate substrate.     

Temperature-dependent enumeration and characterization of anaerobic, thermophilic xylan-degrading bacteria present in two Icelandic hot springs

Abstract Anaerobic thermophilic xylan-degrading bacteria present in unenriched and enriched 70°C samples from two Icelandic hot springs were enumerated at 68, 78, 90 and 99°C by the use of the Most-Probable-Number method. Xylan was used as substrate. From the samples taken at 70°C and incubated at the temperatures previously described no growth was observed above 78°C. A total of ten strains were isolated and characterized from the positive MPN enrichment cultures from the MPN experiments. A higher number of different strains could be isolated in the enriched samples compared with the unenriched, control samples from the same hot spring. Introduction of xylan, i.e., in situ enrichment, into one of the hot springs changed the bacterial population, as none of the bacteria isolated from the unenriched samples were isolated from the enriched samples. All the isolated bacteria were asporogenous, non-motile and gram-negative rods. One long thin rod had morphological similarities to members of the genus Dictyoglomus and was found in both hot spring samples.     

Microbial communities in the saturated groundwater environment II: Diversity of bacterial communities in a Pleistocene sand aquifer and their in vitro activities

Bacterial cell numbers obtained from 103 water and sediment samples from a Pleistocene sandy aquifer in the Lower Rhine region (Bocholt, FRG) were determinated on P-agar and by direct count. Below 5 m under the surface, colony-forming unit (cfu) numbers in water samples were less than 100/ml, and in many cases less than 50/ml. In sediment samples, they were 10- to 100-fold higher (10²–10⁴ cfu/g dry wt), but changing markedly between different depths. Direct cell counts yielded numbers two to three orders of magnitude higher.About 2,700 strains of bacteria from 60 samples were isolated randomly and characterized by morphological and physiological properties. Of all the isolates, 71.6% were gram-negative, and 52.2% were gram-negative straight rods. Water communities, with one exception, had low proportions of gram-positive bacteria (<11%), whereas in all but one of the sediment communities percentages of gram-positive isolates were three- to sevenfold higher (35–43%). Water and sediment communities, as well as communities from different sampling sites and communities from different depths of the same sampling site, differed in their qualitative and quantitative morphotype composition and physiological capabilities.The in vitro activities of strains within a single community were quite different, indicating that each community is composed of many diverse bacteria, several having extremely different capabilities. Thus, each community has its own specific activity pattern. Gram-positive bacteria showed on an average lower total activities than did gram-negative bacteria. Grampositive bacteria as well as gram-negative bacteria from sediment had higher values of in vitro activities than the corresponding groups isolated from water. Many water and sediment bacteria preferred the same substrates which were utilized at high rates. However, there were differences in the degradation of the various other substrates present, and each community showed preferences for particular substrates, which they degraded best.The results of cell morphology and physiology studies indicated that all eight characterized communities were very different from one another and very diversely structured.     

The effect of cyclohexane derivatives on selection of bacterial groups forming activated sludge microflora.

The effect of cyclohexanol, cyclohekxanon and cyclohexylamine on the selection of bacteria in a model population composed of bacteria isolated from activated sludge was examined. The initial population consisted of both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. The latter, which accounted for 90-97% of the population, belonged mainly to three Pseudomonas groups and the Enterobacteriaceae, Vibrio-Aeromonas, Achromobacter-Alcaligenes and Flavobacterium groups. Seven day growth in medium containing cyclohexane derivatives caused pronounced qualitative changes in the population. The compounds favored the development of bacteria of the genus Pseudomonas and inhibited the growth of all other gram-negative bacteria. The direction of selection was independent of the type of cyclohexane derivative.     

The effects of some selected bacteria on embryos and larvae of the American oyster,Crassostrea virginica

An investigation was conducted to determine the effects of selected bacteria on healthy embryos and larvae of the American oyster, Crassostrea virginica. A total of 156 bacterial types were isolated from moribund larvae and particulate matter collected with a 36 μm Nitex screen. Most of the isolates were nonpigmented motile, gram-negative rods sensitive to chloramphenicol and neomycin, and were classified as Pseudomonas and Vibrio.Three oyster developmental stages were exposed to selected bacteria: embryos in the first 48 hr of development, 2-day-old larvae, and presetting, 10-day-old larvae. Twenty of the bacterial strains tested caused gross morphological abnormalities, decreased growth, and/or increased mortality for one or more of the three developmental stages. Neither culture filtrate nor heat-killed bacteria produced these effects.     

呼吸道与非呼吸道标本主要非发酵菌分离株的耐药性比较

目的对2 229份住院患者标本进行分离培养,并对非发酵菌分离株进行药敏试验,了解呼吸道与非呼吸道主要分离株的耐药率差异,以便指导临床合理使用抗菌药物。方法收集2008年8月至2010年10月分离自患者呼吸道、非呼吸道标本的革兰阴性非发酵菌,采用VITEK-32全自动微生物鉴定药敏仪进行细菌鉴定,药敏测定采用K-B法,并比较呼吸道与非呼吸道标本所检出的主要革兰阴性非发酵菌对抗菌药物的耐药率差异。结果共检出非发酵菌556株,其中呼吸道标本366株,非呼吸道标本190株,前3位非发酵菌分离株分别为铜绿假单胞菌、鲍曼不动杆菌和嗜麦芽窄食单胞菌。非发酵菌菌株ESBLs、AmpC、MBL、同产ESBLs+AmpC和同产ESBLs+MBL检出率分别为17.62%、13.67%、14.39、12.23%和6.12%,其中呼吸道标本分离株铜绿假单胞菌的ESBLs、AmpC检出率明显高于非呼吸道标本(均P<0.05),鲍曼不动杆菌的ESBLs、AmpC检出率明显低于非呼吸道标本(均P<0.05);呼吸道、非呼吸道标本的铜绿假单胞菌、鲍曼不动杆菌和嗜麦芽窄食单胞菌分离株对多种抗生素的耐药率不同,差异均有统计学意义(均P<0.05)。结论呼吸道与非呼吸道标本分离的主要非发酵菌分离株对同一抗菌药物耐药率不同,治疗不同部位非发酵菌引起的感染,要考虑由于感染部位不同而产生的耐药性以及药物有效浓度的差异,根据药敏结果合理使用抗菌药物。     

益生菌地衣芽孢杆菌治疗鸡腹泻机理初探

目的：探讨益生菌地衣芽孢杆菌饲喂鸡腹泻的治疗效果以及分子机理。方法：从养鸡场土壤中选择性分离芽孢杆菌,通过优 化条件提高产生芽孢的比例;利用芽孢和大米混合后饲喂腹泻鸡,通过克隆测序分析腹泻鸡肠道微生物群落在饲喂前后的差异。 结果：我们分离到一株地衣芽孢杆菌,通过优化条件使产芽孢的比例提高到60 %。利用芽孢饲喂一周后能够有效地治疗鸡腹泻。 分析鸡肠道微生物群落发现：鸡腹泻后其肠道细菌群落的多样性和均匀度降低。造成腹泻鸡肠道主要菌群为动胶杆菌（Zoogloea sp.）;经芽孢饲喂后,主要菌群转变为拟杆菌（Bacteroides sp.）,与健康鸡的肠道微生物主要菌群相似。结论：我们筛选到一株可能 治疗鸡腹泻的芽孢杆菌,通过优化培养条件能够提高其产芽孢比例;腹泻鸡经芽孢饲喂后,其肠道中致病菌被益生菌所代替,形 成正常的肠微生物菌群而恢复健康。     

Analysis of the etiological structure and dynamics of antibiotic resistance in the causative agents of suppurative inflammatory diseases in the patients at a large general hospital

The structure of the causative agents isolated from patients with pyoinflammatory infections in 1980-1983 was analysed. It was shown that the surgical and urological infections were mainly caused by gram-negative bacteria. The other pyoinflammatory infections were mainly due to gram-positive cocci. A relatively high frequency of the strains of gram-negative bacteria, especially among Pseudomonas spp. and Enterobacter spp., resistant to aminoglycoside antibiotics, such as gentamicin, sisomycin and tobramycin with preserved sensitivity to amikacin and netilmicin in the majority of the strains was shown. Among the beta-lactam antibiotics cephotaxim and cephalotin were most active against gram-negative bacteria and staphylococci, respectively. The majority of the antibiotic resistant strains of gram-negative bacteria had analogous structures and levels of resistance to 7-12 antibiotics which might indicate the occurrence of 1-2 resistance plasmids among the clinical strains.     

Pronase-susceptible Floc Forming Bacteria: Relationship between Flocculation and Calcium Ion

Six strains of floc-forming bacteria belonging to Flavobacterium were isolated from activated sludge which were deflocculated by Pronase treatment. The flocculated cells of the strain B, one of the isolates, was deflocculated not only by Pronase, but also by ethylenediaminetetraacetate. Growth was stimulated when Pronase was added in the medium. An adequate amount of calcium ion in the medium was required for flocculation. No flocculation was observed, however, when calcium was added to the cells grown with a low level of calcium. Deflocculation was observed at the late stationary phase and the onset of deflocculation depended on the concentrations of calcium in the medium. The higher concentrations delayed the deflocculation. The floes formed in the presence of calcium over 0.5 nm in the medium became resistant to the Pronase treatment.