13C-NMR study of propionate degradation by a methanogenic coculture

Abstract

In vivo high-resolution 13C-NMR was used to study propionate oxidation in a methanogenic coculture. The addition of 3-13C-labelled propionate clearly showed succinate as an intermediate. The ultimate breakdown product acetate was labelled equally in the C-1 and C-2 positions. In addition, de novo synthesis of [2-13C]proprionate was observed. The 13C-label randomised completely between C-2 and C-3 of proprionate. The results presented give further evidence for the involvement of the methylmalonyl-CoA pathway.