On Bacillus polymyxa^). 



By M. W. BEIJERINCK and L. E. DEN DOOREN DE JONG. 



Proceedings of the Section of Sciences, Kon. Akademie van Wetenschappen, Amsterdam, 

 Vol. XXV, 1922, p. 279 — 287. — Verscheen onder den titel ,, Over Bacillus polymyxa" in 

 Verslagen Kon. Akademie van Wetenschappen, Wis- en Natuurk. Afd., Amsterdam, Deel 



XXXI, 1922, blz. 354—362. 



If the species-conception is taken in a not too limited sense, the closely related, 

 but not identic forms mentioned in Note 1, may be said to comprise the only 

 known aerobic spore-forming bacterium-species, which causes fermentation in a sugar- 

 containing medium. We call it Bacillus polymyxa. 



It is rather generally spread in fertile soils; its properties are very characteristic 

 and give rise to interesting experiments. The production of aceton first observed by 

 Schardinger, has in the later years drawn attention on this microbe, but the 

 quantity forméd is small and from malt or potatoes it does not amount to 1 % of the 

 weight. But the conditions for its förmation are not yet well-known and might per- 

 haps be greatly improved as to the quantity. Alcohol is also generated and to a some- 

 what greater amount than aceton. Besides, a little acetic- and formic acid seem to be 

 produced. Particularly the secretion of the enzyme pectinase and of much slime by the 

 chief variety is of interest. 



Accumulation and occurrence. 



Long ago the following experiment for the accumulation of this species was 

 described 2) . 



•) The literature of this Bacterium and its nearest relations is to be found under: Clos- 

 tridiutn polymyxa Prazmowski, Granulobacter polymyxa B e ij e r i n c k. Bacillus 

 macerans Schardinger and Bacillus asterosporus A. M e y e r. — A. Prazmow- 

 ski, Entwickelung und Fermentwirkung einiger Bacteriën. Dissert. Leipzig 1880, p. 37. — 

 Th. G r u b é r, Identifizierung von Clostridium Polymyxa Prazmowski, Centralbl. f. 

 Bakteriol. 2te Abt. Bd. 14, 1905, pag. 353. — F. Schardinger, Bacillus macerans, 

 Acetonbildender Rottebacillus. Centralbl. f. Bakt. 2te Abt. Bd. 14, 1905, pag. 772. Zur 

 Biochemie von B. macerans Centralbl. f. Bakt. 2te Abt. Bd. 19, 1907, p. 161. Kristallisierte 

 Polysaccharide aus Starke durch Mikrobien. Centralbl. f. Bakter. 2te Abt. Bd. 22, 1909, p. 98 

 and Bd. 29, 191 1, p. 189. — A. M e ij e r und G. Bredemann, Variation und Stick- 

 stoffbindung durch Bacillus asterosporus. CentraXbl. f. Bakteriol. 2te Abt. Bd. 22, 1909, p. 44. 



The name asterosporus is derived from 9 or 10 rims on the exosporium of the oblong spo- 

 res, which make the transversal section star-like. By abundant feeding, as on wort-gelatin, 

 many rodlets change into narrow clostridia containing somewhat granulose, colored blue 

 by jodine; so the species may also be called Granulobacter polymyxa. 



2) M. W. B e ij e r i n c k. De butylalcoholgisting en het butylferment. Academy of 

 Sciences. Amsterdam 1893. 



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