Diversion of the Normal Heterolactic Dissimilation by Addition of Hydrogen Acceptors

Abstract

Acetaldehyde and acetylmethylcarbinol added to fermentations of glucose by Lactobacillus lyco-persici are readily hydrogenated. Added acetylmethylcarbinol results in an increase in the quantities of acetic acid and CO2 and a decrease in the quantities of ethyl alcohol, lactic acid and glycerol formed from glucose. Added acetaldehyde functions similarly. The increase in ethyl alcohol is due to hydrogenation of the added aldehyde. It is suggested that the mechanism of heterolactic dissimilation involves the essentials of the Embden-Meyerhof scheme.