Fermentation of Glutamic Acid by Rumen Bacteria

Abstract

Washed suspension of rumen bacteria fermented glutamic acid forming ammonia, carbon dioxide, butyric, propionic and acetic acids as end products. Fermentation of glutamic acid by acetone dried cells gave rise to several dicarboxylic acids, namely: α-ketoglutaric acid, succinic acid, mesaconic acid and possibly citramalic acid. Carbon dioxide, butyric, propionic and acetic acid were found after fermentation of α-ketoglutarate by washed suspension of rumen bacteria, and only succinic acid after fermentation of α-ketoglutarate by acetone dried cells. After dissimilation of glutamate-1-14C 75 per cent of the labelled carbon was recovered in the carbon dioxide, acetic, butyric and propionic acid fractions. The interpretation of the results is discussed in the light of recognized fermentation pathways.