SYNTHESIS OF VITAMIN B BY MICROÖRGANISMS

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Abstract
Synthesis of vitamin B by such biologically separated genera as Torula, Oospora, Actinomyces. and 4 genera of Eubacteriales reveals a general occurrence of its synthesis among widely separated groups of lower plant forms. Whatever its chemical structure, vitamin B is a constituent prevalent in microorganisms; specifically, the following were found to produce it Torula rosea, Oospora lactis, Bacillus adhaerens, Bacterium coli, Bacillus subtilis, B. mycoides, Azotobacter chroococcum, Rhizobium leguminosarum, and Actinomyces. Results showed no marked differences in ability of 3 strains of Bact. coli to synthesize vitamin B. Drying at 37[degree] or at 100[degree] C. for 48 hrs. does not materially diminish the vitamin potency of the bacterial mass. Several reasons are suggested to account for discrepancies in the literature dealing with synthesis of vitamin B by microorganisms. The conceptions and definitions of the vitamin are not in accord. After limiting by definition the meaning of the term to the legitimate conception expressed by Drummond, the authors find a multiplicity of methods employed to determine synthesis of a vitamin by microorganisms. Important among them are quantity of organism fed, period of feeding and time allowed for rats to become accustomed to the bacterial diet, manner of feeding organisms to rats, species of animal used as indicator.