Could escherichia coli survive on an all cellulose diet (i.e grass clippings) if they are genetically modified to ferment it? would another meduim need to be added sush as glucose?
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Could escherichia coli survive on an all cellulose diet (i.e grass clippings) if they are genetically modified to ferment it? would another meduim need to be added sush as glucose?
You would also need to supply a source of Nitrogen and Phosphorus, plus a tiny bit of iron. Usually, this can easily be supplied through a yeast extract.
If the strain can metabolize the cellulose (they wouldn't need to ferment it since they are facultative anaerobes and will utilize aerobic respiration when in the presence of oxygen), that would only take care of the energy source.