THE METABOLISM OF 2-KETO-D-GLUCONATE BY RESTING CELLS OF LEUCONOSTOC MESENTEROIDES

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Abstract
The rate of utilization of 2-keto-D-gluconate and the accumulation of pentulose by resting cells of Leuconostoc mesenteroides is affected markedly by pH, Below pH 5, 2-keto-D-gluconate is utilized slowly and pentulose accumulates in the fermentation medium. The pentulose was separated by column chromatography and identified as D-xylulose and D-ribulose. The products of the fermentation of 2-keto-D-gluconate by resting cells, in addition to pentulose, are carbon dioxide, acetic acid, and lactic acid, as expected from the studies with growing cultures. The results obtained are unexpected when considered with what is known about the metabolism of 2-keto-D-gluconate by this organism.