GLYCEROL AND GLYCEROL DEHYDROGENASE IN THE CONIDIA OF ASPERGILLUS ORYZAE

Abstract

A polyol was isolated from the conidia of Aspergillus oryzae and identified as glycerol. A NADP specific glycerol dehydrogenase (glycerol:NADP oxidoreductase) was found in the conidia; substrate specificities, pH optimum, Michaelis constants, the effect of inhibitors and stoichiometry were studied. Kinetic studies suggested that the main reaction by the enzyme was formation of glycerol. Glycerol dehydrogenase might play a role in the biosynthesis of glycerol from dihydroxyacetone or glyceraldehyde which was probably from triosephosphate by the action of phosphatases. Isotopic experiments and assays of glycerol in the germinating conidia agreed with these results.