Formation of indoleacetic acid by intestinal anaerobes

Abstract

Indoleacetic acid was produced from tryptophan by only three of 23 intestinal anaerobes studied including the genera of peptostreptococci, bifidobacteria, lactobacilli, eubacteria, fusobacteria, bacteroides, and citrobacter. Evidence is presented to show that the formation of indoleacetic acid proceeds through the intermediate, indolepyruvic acid, via transamination with α ketoglutarate rather than by the tryptamine pathway.