FORMATION OF FOLIC ACID RELATED COMPOUNDS BY BACILLUS SUBTILIS

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Abstract
Bacillus subtilis elaborates a series of PGA-related compounds apparently similar to those synthesized by Lactobacillus plantarum, but in larger quantities.Paper chromatography of the broth, or of concentrates derived by ion exchange and carbon treatment of the broth, reveals the presence of six factors having activity for Lactobacillus casei, Streptococcus faecalis, or Pediococcus cerevisiae.Separation of the six active components by standard isolation techniques permitted the identification of four known folic acid related compounds and of two materials not previously reported and presumed therefore to be novel.The four known compounds are pteroic, folic, folinic, and N10-formylfolic acids. Pteroic and folic acids are not produced per se by B. subtilis but arise as degradation products. Both of the novel compounds are unstable. One of these has an Rfvalue of 0.35 in 5% aqueous Na2HPO4and is active for S. faecalis but not for L. casei. This compound decomposes to yield pteroic acid. The second novel material has an Rfvalue of 0.55 and is active for both S. faecalis and L. casei. Decomposition of this material yields folic acid.