Abstract
Spore mucopeptide was prepared by autolysis of the cortical structure of Bacillus coagulans spores. Analysis showed that it contained glucosamine, muramic acid, L-alanine, D-glutamic acid, meso-diaminopimelic acid and D-alanine in the molecular proportions 2.8:3:1.6:1.0:1.0:1.0. About 80% of the diaminopimelic acid residues had one amino group which reacted with fluorodinitrobenzene. Alanine in trace amounts was the only N-terminal amino acid detected. The presence of most of the expected free carboxyl and amino groups was confirmed by titration studies. Not all the amino sugar appeared to be N-acetylated. The results are consistent with the proposition that the spore cortical structure consists of a loosely cross-linked matrix bearing a considerable excess of carboxyl groups.
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