Fermentation of 1,2-O-iso-propylidene-D-glucofuranose ("monoacetone glucose") by anaerobic bacteria

Abstract

Various species of Clostridium, Bacteroides, Propionibacterium and Eubacterium were incubated in a 1% solution of 1,2-O-iso-propylidene-D-glucofuranose in a peptone-yeast-extract (PY) medium according to the VPI-technique. The volatile and non volatile acids were investigated by gas-liquid chromatography. All microorganisms showed a pattern of VFA different from that one produced by the glucose containing medium. In most microorganisms the formation of acetic acid was suppressed while the production of propionic, butyric, valeric and iso-valeric acids was stimulated. The production of succinic acid was not affected. Simultaneous determination of monoacetone glucose and glucose in the culture medium showed that the glucose analogue is used to a lesser extent than glucose.