Predicting Threshold Concentrations of Organic Substrates for Bacterial Growth

摘要

A model is presented for estimating threshold concentrations of organic substrates for bacterial growth. the model sets a physical limit on growth for bacteria in nutrient-poor environments. It is predicted that thresholds occur when maintenance energy requirements, in terms of substrate, equal the diffusive flux of substrate molecules to the bacterium. The model predicts either a negative growth rate or a diminishing cell size at concentrations at or below the threshold. The application of the model to studies of biodegradation of organic compounds in natural ecosystems is discussed.