The enzymes of B. Coli communis which are concerned in the decomposition of glucose and mannitol. Part IV. —The fermentation of glucose in the presence of formic acid

Abstract

In this series of communications the writer is endeavouring to show how, by varying the conditions of the experiment, it is possible to alter the proportion between the products which arise from the fermentation of glucoseand allied substances, and to point out how, by a consideration of the manner in which these products group themselves, conclusions may be drawn as to the order in which such products arise during the degradation of the glucose molecule. Substances which can be shown to arise in constant proportions under varying conditions of experiment may be considered as being produced by one and the same enzyme. In Parts II and III it was shown that the formation of lactic acid by B . coli communis ran a separate course to that of the other products, so that it may be regarded as being produced by a separate enzyme, but the other products of the fermentation, viz., succinic acid, acetic acid, formic acid, and alcohol, together with the gaseous products of the decomposition of formic acid, i. e ., carbon dioxide and hydrogen, all appeared to be grouped together and to form an alternative course for the decomposition of the glucose.