H2-dependent anaerobic growth of Escherichia coli on L-malate: succinate formation.

Escherichia coli grew anaerobically on L-malate only in the presence of H2; 91% of the L-malate utilized was converted to succinate. Anaerobically isolated membrane vesicles catalyzed the reduction of fumarate with H2 and contained a b-type cytochrome. Cytochrome c552 was present in the "periplasmic space."