The effect of three complex media (KM) [Mueller-Hinton broth (MHB), brain heart infusion (MSI) and proteose peptone (PP)] and one mineral medium (MM) on surface and enzyme activities of five strains Klebsiella species was studied. Klebsiella oxytoca and Klebsiella ornithinolytica had a marked hydrophobic character after growth in MHB, MSI and MM, Klebsiella terrigena only in PP. K. oxytoca and K. ornithinolytica had a higher motility after cultivation in KM compared with MM, the motility of K. terrigena was not affected. The lipolytic activity of all tested strains was highest after growth in MSI and PP. The composition of culture medium affected bacterial parameters tested to a different extent depending on the species.

        Key words: Klebsiella – culture medium – surface and enzyme activity.