The effects of medium composition on the growth, biochemical and
biological activities of selected coagulase positive and negative
Staphylococci have been investigated. The study concentrated on four major
points, namely: nutrient requirements; haemolysin and enzyme production;
their antigenic properties; and phagocytosis of the cells. The nutrient
requirements for adequate growth of Staphylococci was investigated in a
chemically defined medium (CDM) for each strain to determine the
supplemental, required and essential amino acids. It was found that
strain/species specific differences in amino acid requirements occur
amongst the six Staphylococci. The growth of Staphylococcus epidermidis
showed complete biotin-independence. Additionally, media derived from fish
waste extract (FE) were prepared after developing a simple rapid method to
digest the fish waste. FE was found a good substitute for beef extract in
culture media. [Continues.
