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Degradation of various amine compounds by mesophilic clostridia

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Abstract

From 60 species of the genus Clostridium tested 26 species were able to degrade one to three of the following compounds: betaine, choline, creatine, and ethanolamine. Degradation of betaine and choline was always associated with the formation of trimethylamine as one of the products. Creatine was converted to N-methylhydantoin and with one species (Clostridium sordellii) to sarcosine in addition. The diagnostic value of the ability of clostridial species to degrade the compounds mentioned is discussed. N,N-dimethylglycine, N,N-dimethylethanolamine or sarcosine were not metabolized by the strains tested.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen, der Universität Göttingen, D-3400, Göttingen, Federal Republic of Germany

    Bernhard Möller & Hans Hippe

  2. Institut für Mikrobiologie, der Universität Göttingen, D-3400, Göttingen, Federal Republic of Germany

    Gerhard Gottschalk

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  1. Bernhard Möller
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  2. Hans Hippe
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  3. Gerhard Gottschalk
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Möller, B., Hippe, H. & Gottschalk, G. Degradation of various amine compounds by mesophilic clostridia. Arch. Microbiol. 145, 85–90 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00413032

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00413032

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