The Possible Synthesis of Biotin from Desthiobiotin by Yeast and the Anti-Biotin Effect of Desthiobiotin for L. casei

Abstract

The capacity of desthiobiotin to replace biotin in stimulating growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae but not that of Lactobacillus casei was utilized to establish a differential biol. assay method applicable to systems containing either or both compds. Separation was also effected with H2SO4 which markedly destroys the yeast-growth activity of desthiobiotin. Desthiobiotin displays a high yeast-growth activity only because of conversion to biotin by yeast cells. High concs. of desthiobiotin exhibited an anti-biotin effect toward L. casei.