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Appl Environ Microbiol. 1966 March; 14(2): 145-151
Copyright © 1966 American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Microbiological Assay for Organic Compounds in Seawater. II

Distribution of Adenine, Uracil, and Threonine

Department of Oceanography and Meteorology, Texas A & M University, College Station, Texas

ABSTRACT

Biochemically deficient strains of Serratia marinorubra have been isolated with specific requirements for adenine, uracil, and threonine. Standard curves for dose to growth response have been obtained showing a linear sensitivity from 0.5 to 4.0 mg of adenine per liter of seawater, 0.1 to 2.0 mg of uracil per liter of seawater, and 0.5 to 10 mg of threonine per liter of seawater. These mutants have been used to test for the presence of their required metabolites in natural seawater samples from the Gulf of Mexico and adjacent bays. Of the three compounds under investigation, adenine was found in 10 samples, uracil in 2 samples, and threonine in none. The possible significance of these findings to the marine environment is discussed.

¹ Present address: Department of Biochemistry and Nutrition, Texas A & M University, College Station.

² Present address: Institute of Marine Science, University of Alaska, College.