The biochemical preparation of d-xylulose and l-ribulose. Details of the action of Acetobacter suboxydans on d-arabitol, ribitol and other polyhydroxy compounds

Abstract

An aqueous suspension of A. suboxydans readily oxidizes D-arabitol and ribitol to D-xylulose and L-ribulose in the absence of added buffer or growth factors. Whereas the ribulose is pure, the xylulose shows slight contamination. The mechanisms of the primary oxidation of polyols to ketoses and of these ketoses were investigated and vary greatly with substrate structure. The organism oxidizes 2 methyl glycosides to keto derivatives but under conditions which are most unfavourable for preparative work.