Abstract
1. The pigmentation of mycobacteria was not influenced by the nitrogen source and by the carbon source. Under similar conditions, the pigmentation was very stable.
2. The pigmentation was usually more intensive on egg media than on the Sauton medium agar. In addition, the colouring was influenced by the age of cultures more markedly on egg media than on the Sauton medium agar.
3. The pigmentation of mycobacteria appeared to be more stable on the Sauton medium agar than on egg media, the Loewenstein-Jensen medium and the Ogawa egg medium. It had been recommended that the pigmentation is defined on the fresh cultures grown on the Sauton medium agar.
4. High temperature produced a more intensive pigmentation than low temperature.
5. Aromatic compounds sometimes influenced the colouring of mycobacteria, but this effect was not constant.
6. Sodium thioctate increased the colouring of scotochromogens in old cultures.
7. Development of the colouring ofM. kansasii, i.e. photosynthesis of carotenoids, was done only in the existence of oxygen.
8. Pigmentless mutants induced by ultraviolet irradiation showed the same biochemical characteristics as the original pigmented strains.
9. It has been found that all strains tested (six strains) of scotochromogens contain the same pigment beta-carotine.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bönicke, R.: L'identification des mycobactéries a l'aide de méthodes biochimiques. Bull. Un. int. Tuberc.32, 13–76 (1962).
Ebina, T., Motoyama, M., Munakata, K., Satake, O.: Pigments of unclassified mycobacteria. Amer. Rev. resp. Dis.86, 740–743 (1962).
Goodwin, T. W.: The Biosyntheses and Function of Carotinoid Pigments. In: Advances in Enzymology. Ed.: F. F. Nord, Vol.21, 1959, p. 295–368. New York: Interscience Publisher.
Kubica, G. P., Vestal, A. L.: The arylsulfatase activity of acid-fast bacilli. I. Investigation of activity of stock cultures of acid-fast bacilli. Amer. Rev. resp. Dis.83, 728–732 (1961).
Lorian, V., Magarão, M. F.: Color standarization of atypical mycobacteria. Acta tuberc. scand.44, 219–221 (1964).
Runyon, E. H.: Veterans Administration-National Tuberculosis Association Cooperative Study of Mycobacteria. Amer. Rev. resp. Dis.72, 866–869 (1955).
Tsukamura, M.: Carotenoid pigments of photochromogens and scotochromogens of unclassified mycobacteria. Med. u. Biol.61, 5–6, 63–64 (1961) (in Japanese).
—— Carotenoids of photochromogens of “unclassified mycobacteria”. J. Biochem. (Tokyo)51, 169–171 (1962).
—— Salicylate degradation test for differentiation of Mycobacterium fortuitum from other mycobacteria. J. gen. Microbiol.41, 309–315 (1965).
—— Differentiation of mycobacteria by susceptibility to 8-azaguanine and to hydroxylamine. J. Bact.90, 556–557 (1965).
-- Tsukamura, J.: Taxonomic studies on the “atypical mycobacteria” isolated in Japan. Report at the general meeting of the Jap. Soc. Tuberc. held in April 1965.
—— —— Differentiation of mycobacteria by utilization of nitrite as sole nitrogen source. J. Bact.89, 1442 (1965).
Tsukamura, S.: Biological significance of pigments of mycobacteria. I. Artificial induction of pigmentless mutants from photochromogens and scotochromogens by ultraviolet irradiation. II. Correlation of pigment formation with the virulence. Jap. J. Tuberc.12, 1–6 (1964).
Wayne, L. G.: Recognition of Mycobacterium fortuitum by means of a three-day phenolphthalein sulfatase test. Amer. J. clin. Path.36, 185–187 (1961).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Tsukamura, M. Variability of the pigmentation of mycobacteria by the composition of medium. Pneumologie 142, 93–101 (1970). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02095202
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02095202