Effect of Some Pentoses on Growth of Lactobacilli. ∗

Summary

Growth of the heterofermentative Lactobacillus fermenti (9 strains) was stimulated by a mixture of 3 pentoses: Larabinose, D-xylose, and D-ribose when added to glucose-containing media. The pentose stimulation was observed in two different media but was more evident in a semisynthetic medium than in a medium containing yeast extract (APT medium). In contrast, no such stimulation was observed with any homofermentative lactobacilli classed as L. casei, L. plantarum, and L. acidophilus. Some of these cultures were slightly inhibited by the pentoses. Two heterofermentative lactobacilli from discolored meat products differed from L. fermenti; their growth was not appreciably affected by the pentoses.