The Equilibrium between l-Aspartic Acid, Fumaric Acid and Ammonia in Presence of Resting Bacteria

Abstract

In presence of resting B. coli communis under anaerobic conditions at p h 7.4 and 37[degree]C, l-aspartic acid is synthesized from fumaric acid and NH3. This reaction, controlled by a thermo-labile mechanism, is reversible, equilibrium, l-aspartic acidfumaric acid +NH3, being established and equilibrium constant determined. In absence of growth inhibitors such as toluene, propyl alcohol, and NaN02, reduction to succinic acid occurs, but in presence of these substances reduction is prevented, while equilibrium is not interfered with. In presence of 1% NaN02 or 4% propyl alcohol, the same equilibrium is attained both aerobically and anaerobi-cally. Ten % propyl alcohol almost entirely inhibits the reaction. Malic acid gives a slight but definite NH3 uptake, but, under similar conditions, glutaconic acid, maleic acid, and succinic acid show no uptake of NH3, and glycine and glutaminic acid show no NH3 output.