Factors affecting the formation of 10-hydroxystearic acid from oleic acid by a ruminal strain of Enterococcus faecalis.

A ruminal strain of Enterococcus faecalis was characterised with respect to its ability to hydrate oleic acid to 10-hydroxystearic acid. Hydroxy fatty acid was produced after growth had ceased and the carbon source was almost exhausted. Hydroxy fatty acid production was equally rapid whether the inoculum had been grown in the presence of oleic acid or not, and almost complete conversion was achieved when oleic acid was present at a concentration of up to 0.5% (v/v). Incubation under a hydrogen headspace did not result in biohydrogenation of oleic acid. In pH-controlled batch culture the proportion of oleic acid hydrated varied with the pH of incubation, with more hydration at lower pH. Growth was retarded in the presence of 0.1% (v/v) linoleic acid, inhibited by the same concentration of linolenic acid and did not result in the formation of hydrated products from these substrates. If this organism is able to transform oleic acid in the rumen then the only product likely to be formed is 10-hydroxystearic acid.