Peptostreptococcus anaerobius was found to metabolize tyrosine to p-hydroxyhydrocinnamic acid [3-(p-hydroxyphenyl)propionic acid]. This acid was detected in spent growth media by gas-liquid chromatography, and its identity was confirmed by mass spectrometry.

The influence of pH on the growth parameters of and the organic acids produced by Clostridium sporogenes 3121 cultured in test tubes and fermentors at 35 degrees C was examined. Specific growth rates in the fermentor maintained at a constant pH ranged from 0.20 h-1 at pH 5.00 to 0.86 h-1 at pH 6.50. Acetic acid was the primary organic acid in supernatants of 24-h cultures; total organic acid le...