The Decomposition of d-Tartarate by the Microorganism

Abstract

1. One strain of Pseudonas wan isolated from the soil and used in this study.
2. As the decomposition products of d-tartaric acid by resting cells, succinic and acetic acids were isolated and identified. Furthermore, it was confirmed from the quantitative studies (Table 2, Part 1 and 2) that anaerobic decompositien of d-tartaric acid is performed according to the following equation;
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3. Standard free energy of formaton of bivalent d-tartaric ion at 25°C was calculated to be -242, 990 cal./mol. (Table 3) and the free energy change in the anaerobic decomposition of d-tartarate, i, e.,
3 Tartaric''+2H₂O=2Acetic' +Succinic''+4HCO₃'+2H
was calculated to be -64, 400 cal., or -21, 500 cal./mol. of tartarate (cf. Table 4).
4. It was suggested that this decomposition may proceed according to the equation (2) (3) (4) (5).
5. Dried preparation of cells was found to contain the enzymes which catalyze the oxidation of d-tartarate.
6. The enzymes involved in the oxidation of d-tartarate by this bacteria were shown to be adaptive in nature (Fig. 1).