Cytochrome c, coenzyme Q and lactic dehydrogenase (l-lactate: NAD oxidoreductase, EC 1, 1, 1, 27) in Rhizopus oryzae were studied in order to investigate the connection between the mechanism of lactate formation and terminal respiration.Cytochrome c was extracted easily and in good yield by the addition of cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide to mycelial suspensions. It was purified by calcium phosphate gel and Amberlite IRC-50 resin chromatography.Coenzyme Q was extracted with ethanol, purified by chromatography on silicic acid, and, following crystallization from a mixture of ethanol and methanol, was identified as coenzyme Q0.Lactic dehydrogenase was partially purified and some of its properties were investigated.Rhizopus oryzae at an early growth stage in shake culture produced almost no lactate. At this stage, the mycelia were rich in cytochrome c and FAD. On the contrary, those of later growth stages fermented a larger amount of the glucose to lactate and the contents of cytochrome c and FAD were lower t...