1953 Volume 27 Issue 5 Pages 255-259
(1) During the cultivation of Penicillium chrysogenum Q-176 in the synthetic medium containing phenylacetic acid (PAA), the author noticed the presence of a phenolic compound which was positive for FeCl3 reaction or Millon reaction, and of a ketone body which was positive for Rothera's nitroprusside reaction in the culture broth.
(2) The suitable synthetic medium was selected, in which a good deal of the phenolic compound and ketone body were accumulated.
(3) From the result of titration of, benzene and ether soluble organic acids in the culture broth, it was presumed that the phenolic compound was an intermediary metabolite of PAA.
(4) The phenolic compound, which was a metabolite of PAA, was isolated as crystal from the 72 hour culture broth after the addition of PAA. Method of isolation of this compound was summarized in Fig.l. Judging from its properties such as the m. p. (146°), the analysis of elements and the absorption spectra coupling with FeCl3 and indophenol reagent (2, 6-dibromoquinonechloroimide), this compound was identical with 2-hydroxyphenylacetic acid.
(5) The amount of succinic acid isolated from the culture broth containing PAA was greater than that which was isolated from the culture broth without PAA. From this reason, succinic acid was presumed as a metabolite of PAA.
