84 BACTERIOLOGY. 



Finally, numerous results have been obtained from 

 the conversion of the fatty acids and their salts into 

 other fatty acids by bacteria. As a rule, the lime-salts 

 of lactic, malic, tartaric, and citric acids have been em- 

 ployed, these being converted in various acids by the 

 action of bacteria, such as butyric, priprionic, valeri- 

 anic, and acetic acids; also succinic acid, ethyl-alcohol, 

 and, more rarely, formic acid, have been produced. 

 Among the gases formed were chiefly CO 2 and H. 



Thus Pasteur found that anaerobic bacteria convert 

 lactate of lime into butyric acid. 



