NMR studies of [1-2H]glucose metabolism in Zymomonas mobilis

In complementary experiments the metabolism of [1-2H]glucose in H2O and of unlabelled glucose in 2H2O by Zymomonas mobilis was examined. The utilization of [1-2H]glucose by Z. mobilis was monitored by high-resolution 2H NMR. The deuterium-labelling pattern and stereochemistry of the ethanols produced from the metabolism of [1-2H]glucose and unlabelled glucose in 2H2O were determined by a combination of 13C and 1H NMR and selective enzyme action. The labelling patterns were explained in terms of enzyme mechanisms and stereospecificity, and metabolite enolization.