Home > Iowa Academy of Science > Journals & Newsletters > Proceedings of the Iowa Academy of Science > Volume 43 (1936) > Annual Issue
Document Type
Research
Abstract
Most microorganisms obtain carbon as well as energy from the oxidation of organic compounds but the nitrifying bacteria assimilate carbon dioxide from the air as a source of carbon. The sulfur bacteria and the hydrogen oxidizing bacteria also assimilate carbon dioxide from the air. Other bacteria that cannot assimilate carbon dioxide from the air are greatly stimulated by its presence. Increasing the concentration of carbon dioxide in the air about cultures of Lactobacillus acidophilus produces higher plate counts and larger colonies than cultures in carbon dioxide-free air. An increased concentration of carbon dioxide in the soil air stimulates the growth of certain of the fungi, particularly those associated with root-rot of the higher plants. Some of the fleshy fungi, the so-called "lignin-destroying" fungi, are greatly retarded in growth by the removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere in which they grow. On the other hand, there are cases on record in which carbon dioxide has acted as a growth depressant or germicide. The spores of Mucor, Aspergillus and Penicillium are prevented from germination by very high concentrations of carbon dioxide. The growth rate of yeast and fermentation of solutions have been retarded by certain concentrations of carbon dioxide.
Publication Date
1936
Journal Title
Proceedings of the Iowa Academy of Science
Volume
43
Issue
1
First Page
113
Last Page
116
Copyright
©1936 Iowa Academy of Science, Inc.
Language
en
File Format
application/pdf
Recommended Citation
Smith, F. B.; Brown, P. E.; and Millar, H. C.
(1936)
"The Effect of Carbon Dioxide on Nitrate Accumulation in Carrington Loam,"
Proceedings of the Iowa Academy of Science, 43(1), 113-116.
Available at:
https://scholarworks.uni.edu/pias/vol43/iss1/13