Growth of amoebae in a partially-defined medium

Amoebae, tentatively identified, as myxamoebae of Physarum flavicomum variety 1, were grown in the absence of bacteria on a partially-defined medium. The medium consisted of basal salts, 1.5% proteose peptone, 0.5% yeast extract, 0.5% glucose, and 2.5 ug per ml hematin. Typically a yield of 1 x 10^6 cells/ml was obtained, with a generation time of approximately 89 hr. The optimum temperature for growth was 23 C. Aeration by shaking at 170 rev/min stimulated growth dramatically, as compared to stationary and anaerobic conditions. Hematin has not yet been established as an absolute requirement of the amoebae. The optimum pH for growth is 4.6. Amoebae grown on the partially-defined medium did not form plasmodia.Biology and Biochemistry, Department o