Abstract
44 species of the genus Clostridium were examined with regard to their ability to grow on citrate. In addition to Clostridium sphenoides, a known citrate utilizer, the following species were found to utilize citrate: C. sporosphaeroides, C. symbiosum, C. rectum, C. indolis, C. subterminale and C. sporogenes. The major products formed from citrate were acetate, ethanol and carbon dioxide (not measured). Minor products were butyrate, butanol, acetone and acetoin.
The enzyme citrate lyase was detectable in cell extracts of C. sporosphaeroides and C. symbiosum using an optical assay. Evidence for the presence of this enzyme in the other species was obtained in immunological experiments and in experiments with [1,5-14C]citrate.
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Antranikian, G., Friese, C., Quentmeier, A. et al. Distribution of the ability for citrate utilization amongst Clostridia. Arch. Microbiol. 138, 179–182 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00402115
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00402115