Nicotinic Acid Oxidation in Pseudomonas fluorescens.

Abstract

The destruction of nicotinic acid by Pseudomonas fluorescens, previously described by Koser and Baird³ was found to be an enzymic oxidation. Utilization of nicotinic acid is accompanied by oxygen uptake at a ratio of about 3 oxygen to 1 nicotinic acid. Nicotinamide is not attacked by the oxidase under our experimental conditions. Two types of inhibitors interfere with the enzymatic destruction of nicotinic acid: inhibitors of heavy metal enzymes, such as sodium azide and hydroxylamine, and surface active agents, such as octyl alcohol, toluene and lauryl pyridinium chloride. The rate of oxygen consumption indicates a destruction of the nicotinic acid molecule. Since nicotinic acid serves as a substrate and not as a co-enzyme it should be noted that this reaction sets it apart from its known function in the co-factors.