13C Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Studies of Propionate Catabolism in Methanogenic Cocultures

Propionate catabolism was monitored in anaerobic cocultures of propionate-degrading and methanogenic bacteria. Metabolism was monitored by use of ¹³C-enriched propionate and succinate. The intermediates identified indicated that the methylmalonyl coenzyme A pathway was used in these cultures. The data also indicated that a transcarboxylation reaction between succinate and propionyl coenzyme A occurred, yielding propionate and methylmalonyl coenzyme A.