Chymotrypsinlike activity of some intestinal bacteria

Some tests of exocrine pancreatic function are based on the estimation of intestinal chymotryptic activity by using specific substrates such as N-benzoyl-L-tyrosyl-PABA (BT-P). In this study the action of a number of bacteria isolated from human or monkey intestines on BT-P was investigated. The monkeys studied had an intestinal flora closely resembling that of man. Except for Bacteroides, Proteus vulgaris No. 73, Proteus morgani No. 202, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa No. 76, significant splitting of BT-P did not take place when the common enteric microorganisms were tested. It was concluded that with the possible exception of bacterial overgrowth of the small bowel, microbial chymotryptic activity is not of importance.