Abstract
d-Serine (0.05m) inhibited nitrification byAspergillus flavus in media containing either peptone, aspartate,a-alanine or β-alanine as the sole nitrogen source. A similar inhibition was observed in an aspartate + peptone medium, but nitrate was formed in a β-alanine + peptone medium in the presence of the inhibitor. Exceptionally high yields of nitrate were obtained in the β-alanine + peptone medium. In replacement cultures,d-serine inhibited nitrification of aspartate but not of β-alanine. Manometric studies indicated that aspartate was decarboxylated byA. flavus and that the reaction was inhibited byd-serine. In view of these results, it is suggested that aspartate is a precursor and β -alanine is an intermediate in nitrification by this fungus.
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Marshall, K.C. The role of β-alanine in the biosynthesis of nitrate byAspergillus flavus . Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 31, 386–394 (1965). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02045918
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02045918