Richard W. Jackson

The microbiological production of 10-hydroxystearic acid from oleic acid.

Abstract A pseudomonad isolated from fatty material was found to hydrate oleic acid at the unsaturated 9,10-position. 10-Hydroxystearic acid was produced in an over-all yield of 14%. The structure of the compound was proved by gas chromatography, infrared analysis, and mass spectrometry and by conversion to 10-ketostearic acid which was compared to a reference specimen obtained by synthesis. No other product of the microbial nondegradative modification of oleic acid was found in this survey.

The microbiological production of gibberellins A and X.

Abstract A method is described for the production of crude crystalline gibberellin in yields of about 12 g. per 160 gal. of culture liquor. This product is a mixture of the known gibberellin A ([α]D +36 °) and a new gibberellin (C19H22O6) with a rotation of [α]D +92 °.

Organic acids in the haemolymph of healthy and diseased Popillia japonica (Newman) larvae

Abstract Organic acid constituents in the haemolymph of healthy and diseased Popillia japonica (Newman) larvae were determined by partition chromatography, enzymatic analyses, and colorimetric procedures. Haemolymph from larvae infected with Bacillus popilliae Dutky, compared with that from healthy larvae, contained higher concentrations of malic, glycolic, tartaric pyruvic, and glyoxylic acids. No change in concentrations of butyric, propionic, acetic, formic, succinic, lactic, citric, and α-ketoglutaric acids occurred when larvae were infected. None of the acids decreased during the course of the milky disease. Gluconic and oxaloacetic acids were detected in the haemolymph but not determined. Organic acids account for most of the anion titre in the haemolymph.

Amino acids in the haemolymph of Popillia japonica (Newman) larvae

Abstract The proteins were separated from the acid-soluble components in haemolymph of Popillia japonica (Newman) larvae with 5% trichloroacetic acid, and the resulting materials analysed for amino acid content. Altogether twenty amino acids were identified in whole or hydrolysed haemolymph or in fractions. Analysis was done by paper chromatography and ion exchange chromatography. Glutamine, arginine, histidine, proline, glycine, alanine, and valine occur free in considerable amounts in the haemolymph. Lysine, aspartic acid, threonine, serine, glutamic acid, isoleucine, leucine, tyrosine, β-alanine, tryptophan, and asparagine were also detected. Sixteen amino acids were identified in the insoluble proteinaceous material. Phenylalanine and methionine were present in the insoluble fraction, but not to an appreciable extent in any other fractions. There were several peptides that disappeared on acid hydrolysis. There were at least two unidentified ninhydrinreacting substances that were stable to acid.

Amino acids in the haemolymph of diseased Popillia japonica (Newman) larvae.

Abstract Free amino acid constituents in the haemolymph from diseased Popillia japonica (Newman) larvae were determined by ion-exchange chromatography, paper chromatography, enzymatic analysis, and amperometric titration. Haemolymph from larvae infected with Bacillus popilliae, compared with that from healthy larvae, contained higher concentrations of glutamic acid, β-alanine, aspartic acid, phenylalanine, threonine, serine, and lysine and lower concentrations of glycine, tyrosine, and histidine. Differences in the amino acid composition depend on the infective organism. The only amino acid to increase during infection with B. lentimorbus was glutamic acid. Amounts of histidine, proline, glycine, alanine, valine, isoleucine, tyrosine, and arginine decreased. The level of protein material in the haemolymph as well as the composition did not change markedly during infection with either B. popilliae or B. lentimorbus. Haemolymph contains little peptide of low molecular weight. Several additional amino acids were determined in haemolymph from healthy and diseased larvae. Milky disease apparently has no effect on the concentration of tryptophan, cystine, cysteine, glutamine, asparagine, and lanthionine.

Ramulosin: Inhibitory effect against plant seeds and various fungi

Abstract Ramulosin, a new fermentation product reported recently from this laboratory, was tested for biological activity. The compound inhibited germination of wheat and oats at 10 p.p.m.; tomato and grass seeds at 100 p.p.m.; and corn, clover, sorghum and morning glory seeds at 1000 p.p.m. No appreciable activity was noted in tests with Pinto and soy beans. Ramulosin also inhibited the germination of conidiospores of Aspergillus niger and Fusarium moniliforme; ascospores of Chaetomium globosum; and sporangiospores of Rhizopus stolonifer and Mucor rouxii. Although it did not exhibit antibacterial activity, ramulosin did retard the growth of several basidiomycetes and ascomycetes.

Potential utilization of agricultural commodities by fermentation

Use of fermentation products in beverages, foods, feeds and pharmaceuticals is growing steadily, but fermentation production of industrial alcohol, butanol and acetone faces stiff competition from synthetic petrochemicals. In looking to the future of fermentation and its utilization of agricultural commodities, additional experimental approaches should be used in the search for new products, particularly the more complex ones such as antibiotics, enzymes, and vitamins, which in general have resisted economic chemical synthesis.