Carbamoylphosphate synthetase activity is essential for the optimal growth of Streptococcus thermophilus in milk

Authors: Arioli, S.¹; Monnet, C.²; Guglielmetti, S.¹; Mora, D.¹

Source: Journal of Applied Microbiology, Volume 107, Number 1, July 2009 , pp. 348-354(7)

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Abstract:

Aim:

The aim of the study was to study the role of carbon dioxide metabolism in Streptococcus thermophilus through investigation of the phenotype of a carbamoylphosphate synthetase-negative mutant. Methods and results:

The effect of carbon dioxide on the nutritional requirements of Strep. thermophilus DSM20617^T and its derivative, carbamoylphosphate synthetase-negative mutant A17(ΔcarB), was investigated by cultivating the strain in a chemically defined medium under diverse gas compositions and in milk. The results obtained revealed that CO₂ depletion or carB gene inactivation determined the auxotrophy of Strep. thermophilus forl-arginine and uracil. In addition, the parent strain grew faster than the mutant, even when milk was supplemented with uracil or arginine. Conclusions:

Milk growth experiments underlined that carbamoylphosphate synthetase activity was essential for the optimal growth of Strep. thermophilus in milk. Significance and impact of the study:

The study of the carbon dioxide metabolism in Strep. thermophilus revealed new insights with regard to the metabolism of this species, which could be useful for the optimization of dairy fermentation processes.

Keywords: CO2; food; metabolism; physiology; Streptococcus thermophilus

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2672.2009.04213.x

Affiliations: 1: Department of Food Science and Microbiology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy 2: UMR782 Génie et Microbiologie des Procédés Alimentaires, INRA, AgroParisTech, Thiverval-Grignon, France

Publication date: 2009-07-01