Studies on the Utilization of Hydrocarbon by Microorganisms

An uracil-requiring mutant (KY7122) of Arthrobacter paraffineus KY4303 (ATCC15591) was found to accumulate orotic acid and orotidine on n-paraffine as a sole carbon source.

Both substances were definitely indentified as orotic acid and orotidine, from the results on column and paper chromatography, UV and IR absorption spectra, elementary analysis and analyses of hydrolysate.

Cultural conditions for orotic acid and orotidine fermentation were then investigated. As the carbon source n-paraffines from C₁₄ to C₁₆ were the most suitable for the fermentation, and sorbitol, fructose and mannitol were best utilized for the growth, and orotidine produced from them were twice as much as those from hydrocarbon. The addition of 200 mg of uracil and 2 g of C. S. L to 1 liter of medium was most optimal for orotic acid and orotidine fermentation.

Orotic acid and orotidine accumulations were enhanced by the addition of either l-tyrosine, l-leusine, l-threonine, gluconate or meat extract.