Pathways of Lower Alkaline Oxidation 467 



TABLE 1 



Oxidation of Fatty Acids by Cells Grown on Various Alkanes 



*Activity measured manometrically at 37 C, pH 7.1, in the presence of chlor- 

 amphenicol (50 fig/m\) and expressed in fiL, Oj consumed per hour, per mg of 

 cells (dry weight). Endogenous activities ( — Q02 less than or equal to 10) sub- 

 tracted. 



alcohol and aldehyde. Moreover, these experiments clearly 

 demonstrate the sequence of the intermediary steps between the 

 hydrocarbon and the fatty acid. It is seen that the cells grown 

 on the primaiy alcohol are only adapted to this substrate and 

 to the aldehyde and acid, and that the cells grown on the alde- 

 hyde are only adapted to the aldehyde and to the acid. 



These obseivations are consistent with a metabolic path- 

 way in which the oxidation of the hydrocarbon molecule takes 



TABLE 2 



Simultaneous Adaptations of the Cells Grown on h-heptane and on the 

 Corresponding Alcohol and Aldehyde 



Substrate 



n-heptane 



1 n-heptanol 



n-heptanal 



enanthic acid (C-) 



*Saine conditions as in Table 1. 



