Volatile Acid Production By Clostridium Botulinum Type-F

The proteolytic activity and volatile fatty acid production of 10 isolates of Clostridium botulinum type F from diverse geographical locations were determined. Two of the 10 strains were non-proteolytic, 3 were slightly proteolytic, and 5 were strongly proteolytic. The non-proteolytic cultures and the slightly proteolytic cultures produced acetic and butyric acid. The strongly proteolytic cultures produced mainly acetic, butyric, isobutyric, and isovaleric acid, and small to trace amounts of propionic, isocaproic, and caproic acid. The relative amounts of the various acids produced were markedly influenced by the growth medium. The addition of glucose to the growth medium caused an increase in the relative amount of butyric acid and a decrease in isobutyric and isovaleric acid.