Trace metal and vitamin requirements of Methanococcoides methylutens grown with trimethylamine

Trace organic nutrient and metal requirements for the growth of Methanococcoides methylutens strain TMA-10 were determined in defined medium that contained trimethylamine as the substrate. Biotin was the only organic supplement required in place of yeast extract, Trypticase or a mixture of 8 B-vitamins. Fe an Ni were required for growth and low concentrations of Fe²⁺ (<5 μM) and Ni²⁺ (<0.25 μM) provided limited growth. In the absence of added Co the growth rate was reduced by 94% and growth was limited at concentrations below 0.1 μM. Stimulation of growth by Se, Mo, B, Al, Zn, Mn or Cu could not be demonstrated.