The respiration of Mycobacterium phlei

Abstract

The O2 consumption of M. phlei on various substrates was detd. by the Warburg method. O2 uptake was increased by glucose, lactate, mannose, trebalose, pyruvate, l-malate, acetic acid and higher fatty acids with an even nuniber of C atoms. Other carbohydrates and fatty acids, and their metabolic derivatives, did not increase O2 uptake significantly. Methylene blue also functioned as a hydrogen acceptor for M. phlei. Extracts of the cellg after drying With acetone and after crushing mechanically showed ability to oxidize lactic acid but not glucose, pyruvate and acetate.