[Effect of the surface-active substance N-cetylpyridinium chloride on the biosynthetic capacity of Brevibacterium ammoniagenes ATCC 6872, a producer of NAD].

The effect of cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC), a cationic detergent, on the biosynthetic ability of the well known synthesizor of nucleotides Brevibacterium ammoniagenes ATCC 6872 was studied. It was found that CPC increasing the cell permeability affects also the cell carbohydrate metabolism. At the definite ratio of CPC and biomass which depends on the composition of the incubating medium, a maximum formation of pentoses occurs that is of great importance for obtaining NAD from the exogeneous precursors: nicotinamide and adenine. To obtain a high yield of pentoses and NAD, a short-term treatment of cells with CPC is sufficient.