prototrophic

[ proh-tuh-trof-ik, -troh-fik ]
/ ˌproʊ təˈtrɒf ɪk, -ˈtroʊ fɪk /

adjective

(especially of certain bacteria) requiring only inorganic substances for growth.
(of certain microorganisms) requiring no specific nutriments for growth.

Origin of prototrophic

First recorded in 1895–1900; proto- + -trophic

Example sentences from the Web for prototrophic

British Dictionary definitions for prototrophic

prototrophic
/ (ˌprəʊtəˈtrɒfɪk) /

adjective

(esp of bacteria) feeding solely on inorganic matter
(of cultured bacteria, fungi, etc) having no specific nutritional requirements