Determination of the isotope distribution in malate-14C with fumarase-negative lactic acid bacteria.
No fumarase activity could be found in whole cells or in cell-free crude extracts from Leuconostoc mesenteroides or Lactobacillus curvatus. The degradation of L-malate-4-14C by these organisms yielded more than 95% of the label as 14CO2. It is therefore recommended that these organisms, rather than Lactobacillus plantarum, should be used in the determination of isotope distribution in L-malate-14C, since L. plantarum exhibits a significant fumarase activity and thus randomizes malate prior to the decarboxylation of this substance by the malolactic enzyme.
D001681:Biological Assay; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000378:metabolism; D005649:Fumarate Hydratase; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000378:metabolism*; D007934:Leuconostoc / Q000378:metabolism*; D008293:Malates / Q000378:metabolism*; D010944:Plants / Q000378:metabolism
D008293:Malates; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D005649:Fumarate Hydratase