Data files

qATP values were calculated based on fermentation product formation and expected used biochemical pathways. These were averaged and used for calculation of the ATP required for maintenance and for growth. These data were subsequently used to calculate the qATP at the maximal growth rate by extrapolation

. L. lactis (NZ9000), E. faecalis (V538) and S. pyogenes (M49) wild type strain and their ldh- mutants were grown in batch cultures at 37°C in anaerobic 96 wells plates in either TH-broth supplemented with 0.5% (w/v) yeast (THY) or a chemically defined medium for LAB (pH 7.4) (CDM-LAB (10)). Both media were buffered with either 100 mM MES buffer or 100 mM MOPS buffer for growth at pH 6.5 and 7.5 respectively.

S. pyogenes was grown in C-limited cultures at pH 6.7 and 7.5 and at a growth rate of 0.05 and 0.15

E. faecalis was grown in C-limited cultures at pH 6.7 and 7.5 and at a growth rate of 0.05 and 0.15

L. lactis was grown in C-limited cultures at pH 6.7 and 7.5 and at a growth rate of 0.05, 0.15 and 0.40