C. thermocellum DSMZ 1237 was obtained from the German
Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures (DSMZ). It was
first inoculated in ATCC 1191 media containing 5 kg m3
cellobiose (Acros Organics cat. no. 108461000) and then
maintained by transferring a volume of inoculum corresponding
to 10% of the receiving ATCC 1191 medium volume,
containing 5 kg m3 cellulose (Sigma cat. no. C8002).
The medium ATCC 1191 was prepared as suggested by the
American Type Culture Collection (ATCC). All chemicals were
from SigmaeAldrich Canada (Oakville, Ontario) and N2 gas
from Praxair (Trois-Rivieres, Quebec). Experiments were conducted
in 100 cm3 Wheaton serum glass bottles containing
50 cm3 of medium. The bottles were air-sealed with butyl
rubber stoppers and aluminium seals. Bottles were vacuum
degassed for 4 min and then gassed with nitrogen for 2 min.
This cycle was repeated 4 times [19]. After, 0.5 cm3 of reducing
solution was added into the medium and then autoclaved at
121 C during 15 min.