Metabolism of Biotin and Oxybiotin by Lactobacillus pentosus 124-2

Abstract

Dl-Oxybiotin had 50% of the activity of biotin for L. pentosus 124-2. There was no significant difference in the growth rate of L. pentosus 124-2 with biotin and oxybiotin. Desthiobiotin had no activity; neither was it an inhibitor to biotin or oxybiotin. Oxybiotin was assimilated into the cells as such, and was not converted into biotin. Two differential assay methods were used. When minimal amts. of biotin or oxybiotin were furnished this organism, all the activity of the added compound could be accounted for in the cells. Not until an excess of biotin or oxybiotin is present was any found left in the medium. As the amt. of biotin or oxybiotin in the original culture increased, the percentage recovered decreased, and eventually reached only 10-15% of that added to the medium.