The effect of iron on the growth of Escherichia coli in albumen taken from the hen's egg

Small inocula of Escherichia coli did not initiate either growth or glucose utilisation in hen's egg white in vitro unless ovotransferrin was quenched with iron. The most rapid and extensive growth occurred in iron‐supplemented albumen containing additional ammonium ions. In albumen containing a large inoculum, glucose utilisation was promoted by the addition of NH₄+ but not Fe³⁺. The action of NH₄+ was suppressed by the addition of chloramphenicol to heavily seeded albumen.