Studies on the Intermediate Metabolites from Glucose by Coliform Organisms

Abstract

Coliform organisms are defined as gram negative rods which produce acids and gas by the breakdown of glucose. These organisms are classified into Escherichia coli I, II, III, Citrobactor freundii I, II, Klebsiella aerogenes I, II, Klebsiella cloacae and Erwina carotovorum by IMViC reaction, liquefaction of gelatin, production of H₂S, cytochrome oxidase test and ability of growth at 44.5°C. This study was carried out to clarify the similarity among each type of coliform organisms. So the intermediate metabolites from glucose of each type of coliform organisms were examined at different incubation temperature by carboxylic acid analyzer.
The results are summarized as follows :
1. The intermediate metabolites from glucose by E. coli, C. freundii, K. aerogenes and K. cloacae were lactic acid, acetic acid, pyruvic acid, formic acid and succinic acid, although production ratio of each carboxylic acid differed each other.
2. E. coli and C. freundii type produced a large amount of lactic acid and acetic acid with a small amount of formic acid. They might be similar in their glucose metabolism.
3. K. aerogenes and K. cloacae type produced a large amount of lactic acid and formic acid with a small amount of acetic acid. They might be similar in their glucose metabolism.