METABOLISM OF FRUCTOSE AS AN ELECTRON-ACCEPTOR BY LEUCONOSTOC-MESENTEROIDES

The utilisation of fructose as an electron acceptor was studied in Leu conostoc mesenteroides NCIMB 8023 and Leuconostoc mesenteroides NCFB 8 11 under anaerobic conditions. Only small amounts of fructose as an el ectron accepter were converted to mannitol. Both bacteria produced lac tate, ethanol, acetate along with mannitol during the metabolism of fr uctose in the absence of oxygen. Fermentation of a mixture of glucose and fructose resulted in the production of the same metabolic end-prod ucts and small amounts of mannitol were formed. Small concentrations o f acetate were also detected. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All right s reserved.