A Respiration Coenzyme

Abstract

A factor not only specific but essential for respiration was obtained by extracting commercial sucrose with absolute alcohol. Small amts. of this material increase the O2 consumption of Rhizobium trijolii within 1 hr. or less; initiation of normal growth does not take place until several hrs. later. The factor, which is called coenzyme R (the R referring to respiration), is dialyzable and heat stable, and, although its relation to rhizopin, pnein, auximones, certain vitamins, Euler''s activator, etc. has not been detd., it is certainly not identical with bios. Azotobacter vinelandii did not respond to added amts. of the factor but this is because this organism synthesizes coenzyme R and releases it into the medium in considerable quantities.