The mechanism of itaconic acid formation by Aspergillus terreus. 2. The effect of substrates and inhibitors

Abstract

Experiments with growing and non-proliferating mycelia of A. terreus, strain NRRL 1960, show that this organism is able to convert a number of different compounds into itaconic acid. Experiments with non-proliferating mycelia, to which were added metabolic inhibitors and substrates singly or in mixtures, have led to the following postulate: glucose is converted into itaconic acid via a C3 stage and activated citric acid. The C3 stage is pyruvic acid or a compound closely related to pyruvic acid. Results indicate that activated citric acid is a closer precursor to itaconic acid than is cis-aconitic acid.