SYNTHESIS OF STORAGE MATERIAL FROM PYRUVATE BY RHODOSPIRILLUM RUBRUM

Illuminated cells of R. rubrum assimilate pyruvate and use it for the ynthesis of different cell components. A sufficient supply of substrate and light energy provided, part of the pyruvate is built into storage products. If the cells are suspended in phosphate buffer and kept under an atmosphere of molecular hydrogen the formation of the β-hydroxybutyrate polymer is stimulated. An excess of substrate and incubation under molecular nitrogen leads to the synthesis ofa polysaccharide, also known as storage product in R. rubrum; but even under optimal conditions only a small part of the pyruvate is used for the synthesis of this storage polysaccharide. © 1969 Springer-Verlag.