The oxidation of lactic acid by <i>Mycobacterium phlei</i>

Abstract

Although lactic acid is utilized completely during the cultivation of Mycobacterium phlei (Stephenson & Whetham, 1922), it is oxidized incompletely by 'resting cells' (Edson & Hunter, 1947). Extracts of crushed cells and acetone-dried preparations, which retain power to oxidize lactate, lose the ability to oxidize pyruvate and acetate. Since an acetone powder will yield a soluble enzyme, this preparation has provided mean of studying the mechanism of lactic acid breakdown.