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Enrichment and isolation of nitrogen fixing hydrogen bacteria

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Abstract

An enrichment method for nitrogen fixing hydrogen bacteria is described. The procedure invariably resulted in the isolation of yellow-pigmented coryneform bacterial strains assigned to Corynebacterium autotrophicum. The procedure included a serial transfer in an ammonium-free mineral liquid medium under an atmosphere of 10% hydrogen, 5% oxygen, 10% carbon dioxide and 75% nitrogen, followed by a short alkali treatment and by streaking on nutrient broth-succinate agar. The ability to fix nitrogen was confirmed by the acetylene reduction test and by 15N2 incorporation.

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Wiegel, J., Schlegel, H.G. Enrichment and isolation of nitrogen fixing hydrogen bacteria. Arch. Microbiol. 107, 139–142 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00446833

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