Utilization of Hydrocarbons by Microorganisms

Part XXI. Biochemical Studies upon Microbial Production of α-Ketoglutarate, L-Glutamate and DL-Alanine from Hydrocarbons

Abstract

Coryn. hydrocarboclastus S10B1 could produce a good deal of α-KG, L-glutamate and DL-alanine from n-alkanes in a thiamine-limited medium supplemented with ferrous ion. The replacement of substrate by sugars such as glucose not only decreased the yields, but also reversed the order of the yields among three products. This phenomenon was explained from a metabolic pathway in relation to the role of thiamine. Slow oxygen uptakes of pyruvate and α-KG with thiamine-deficient cells supported the presumption that thiamine limitation resulted in deficiency of a cofactor in the enzymatic oxidation of pyruvate and α-KG. Activities of terminal enzymes in the synthesis of L-glutamate and DL-alanine were determined and discussed. Three intermediates were detected in the culture broth.