1912.] B. cloacae [Jordan) on Citric and Malic Acids. 



7 



The mean result of the experiments gives for malic acid a respiratory 

 coefficient of T63. This is in good agreement with the value found from a 

 reaction proceeding as follows : — ■ 



3C 4 H 6 5 + 50 2 = 2C 2 H 4 2 + 8C0 2 + 5H 2 0, 



which gives a respiratory coefficient of 8/5 = T6. 



Experiments 9 and 10 were carried out with citric acid. The results are 

 discussed later on (p. 9). 



IV. Chemical Action of Bacillus cloacte on Malic Acid in the Presence of 



Oxygen. 



1. The only products of the action of B. cloacae on malic acid in the presence 

 of oxygen were found to be carbon dioxide, acetic acid, succinic acid, a small 

 amount of a fatty substance, the nature of which was not determined, and 

 traces of alcohol. The following tables give the results obtained. Table I 

 gives the actual weight, on the malic acid used up, of the various substances 

 produced, while Table II gives the number of carbon atoms per molecule of 

 malic acid represented by each product : — 



Table I. — Percentages. 





a. 



b. 





grms. 



per cent. 



grms. 



per cent. 





3 -40 



50 -8 



3 -25 



48 -5 





1 -06 



15 -8 



1 -09 



16 -3 





2 -02 



30-2 



2-36 



35 -2 



Total 



6-48 



96 -8 



6-70 



100 -o 



Malic acid consumed = 6 '70 grms. 



Table II. — Carbon Atoms. 





a. 



b. 





1-54 



1 -48 





0-71 



0-73 





1 -37 



1 -79 





3-62 



4-00 



Malic acid 



= C 4 H 6 5 . 





) 



