[Deaminase activity of Cl. botulinum type A, B, E and F cultures]

The authors present the results of a comparative study of desaminase activity in the suspensions of resting cells and in ultrasonic desintegrates of cells of Cl. botulinum types A, B, E and F against a number of amino acids and their amides. It was shown that types A, B, E and F possessed active desamination enzymes; this process, however coursed with a different degree of intensity depending on the substrate. Common for all the 4 types was the presence of desamidase L-asparaginase and L-glutaminase, and also of the desamination enzymes of the aspartic and glutamic acids. Strains of type B had the greatest set of enzymes, and of type A--the least; bacteria of types E and F occupied an intermediate position. None of the types studied contained tryptophandesaminase. Some of desaminases are bound to subcellular structures.