Accumulation of itaconic, 2-hydroxyparaconic, itatartaric, and malic acids by strains of the genus ustilago

Abstract

Many strains of the genus Ustilago were found to be good producers of organic acids, that is, itaconic, l-tatartaric, l-2-hydroxyparaconic, and L-malic acids. Itatartaric and 2-hydroxyparaconic acids were invariably produced together with itaconic acid. From these findings and the results of the experiments with permeabilized cells of Ustilago cynodontis, the following metabolic sequence was assumed: itaconate→2-hydroxyparaconate→itatartarate, as a by-path from the tricarboxylic acid cycle. © 1990, Japan Society for Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Agrochemistry. All rights reserved.