The enzyme system of Bact. suboxydans

Abstract

Washed suspensions of Bact. suboxydans vary considerably in aerobic enzymic activity according to the period of growth on maize wort agar, with and without chalk. The activity is greatly influenced by the formation of acid by the organism on the medium and its direct action on the cell if not neutralized. Exptl. results suggest that Bact. suboxydans possesses an enzyme system containing at least 2 important components. One, less sensitive to acid but more rapid in its action, catalyzes a simple oxidation process; the other catalyzes a reaction in which the O2 absorbed is equal to the CO2 evolved.