The anaerobic decomposition of l-cystine by washed cells of Proteus vulgaris.

ADEQUATE summaries of the literature dealing with the products resulting from the decomposition of amino-acids by various bacteria have been prepared by Stephenson [1930] and Buchanan and Fulmer [1930]. In the case of cystine a study of these reviews and of more recent literature makes it evident that previous investigators have concerned themselves with the formation ofhydrogen sulphide, ethylmercaptan and diethyl sulphide from cystine, and not with the complete disintegration of the molecule. In the present paper the anaerobic decomposition of cystine by means of "washed cells" [Sandiford and Wooldridge, 1931] of Proteus vulgaris is fully described.