Nitrogenase activity and growth of Frankia in batch and continuous culture.

Frankia grown in batch culture was unable to maintain a high rate of nitrogenase activity and, once a peak level was reached, activity rapidly declined. Addition of 5 mM carbon source of cultures or transfer to fresh medium was followed by brief recovery of nitrogenase activity. The extent of recovery decreased as additions or transfers were made to progressively older cultures. Daily addition of fresh medium (dilution rate = 0.125 day-1) allowed Frankia to be maintained in continuous, derepressed culture with stable rates of growth and nitrogenase activity for more than 30 days. The proportion of active, mature vesicles also remained constant in continuous culture but decreased with time in batch culture.