Permeabilization and lysis of Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes cells by Triton X-100 for efficient production of d-malate

Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes can only form d-malate from maleate after incubation of the cells with a solvent or a detergent. The effect of the detergent Triton X-100 on d-malate production was studied in more detail. The longer the cells were incubated with Triton X-100, the higher was the d-malate production activity, until the maximal malease activity was reached. Incubation of P. pseudoalcaligenes cells with Triton X-100 also resulted in an increase in the protein concentration of the supernatant, indicating that cell lysis had occurred. The rate at which the d-malate production activity increased was dependent on the Triton X-100 concentration and on the cell density. Also the rate at which lysis occurred depended on the Triton X-100 concentration.