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EFFECT OF URIC ACID ON RIBOFLAVINE PRODUCTION BY INTESTINAL COLIFORM BACTERIA.
Journal of Bacteriology
|February 1, 1964
Summary
Uric acid inhibits riboflavin production in intestinal bacteria like Escherichia coli, without affecting their growth. This suggests uric acid acts as an antimetabolite in riboflavin biosynthesis.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Intestinal coliform bacteria synthesize essential vitamins, including riboflavin.
- The role of specific metabolites, such as uric acid, in regulating bacterial vitamin production is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of uric acid on riboflavin synthesis by common intestinal coliform bacteria.
- To determine if uric acid influences bacterial growth or riboflavin production.
Main Methods:
- Cultured Escherichia coli, Aerobacter aerogenes, and Paracolobactrum species in a defined medium.
- Assayed riboflavin production using fluorometric and microbiological methods.
- Administered varying concentrations of uric acid (10-750 mug/ml) to the cultures.
Main Results:
- Uric acid significantly inhibited riboflavin production in a dose-dependent manner.
- Bacterial growth remained unaffected by the presence of uric acid.
- Observed degradation of uric acid within the bacterial cultures.
Conclusions:
- Uric acid acts as an inhibitor of riboflavin biosynthesis in intestinal coliforms.
- Uric acid or its degradation products may function as an antimetabolite or enzyme inactivator in this process.