ORGANIC-ACID METABOLISM UNDER DIFFERENT GLUCOSE-CONCENTRATIONS OF LEUCONOSTOC-OENOS FROM WINE

Leuconostoc oenos M isolated from wine did not grow in the absence of glucose and it was clearly stimulated by the presence of L-malic and c itric acids in synthetic medium with different glucose concentrations. In basal medium, D-glucose and L-malic and citric acids were simultan eously consumed. L-Malic acid was metabolized at a higher rate than gl ucose and citric acid. When the organic acids were completely consumed only 50% of the glucose was utilized. In basal medium 1 mmol of D-lac tic acid was produced per mmol of glucose consumed and the amount of e thanol formed was higher with acetate present in the medium. L-Malic a cid was completely recovered as L-lactic acid, and in the presence of L-malic acid a carbon imbalance from glucose to D-lactic acid was obse rved. In the presence of citric acid the amount of D-lactic acid forme d was directly proportional to glucose-citrate utilization and acetic acid and ethanol were produced.