THE ENZYMATIC CONVERSION OF MANDELIC ACID TO BENZOIC ACID II

Abstract

The L-mandelic acid dehydrogenase of Pseudomonas fluorescens. which catalyzes the conversion of L-mandelic acid to benzoylformic acid, is located exclusively in the particle fraction of sonically-disrupted cells. The particle fraction also contains succinic and malic dehydro-genases, together with the system of enzymes required to link the various substrate dehydrogenases to molecular O2. 2 cytochromes, tentatively identified by spectroscopy as b and c, are located in the particle fraction. The cyanide sensitivity of mandelate oxidation by the particles, as well as their ability to oxidize the Nadi reagent, suggests the presence of cytochrome oxidase.