Amino acid mineralization by Serratia marcescens

The influence of different cultivation conditions (medium, pH values, temperatures of the process, air access) on

the ability of amino acid mineralization via oxidative deamination by Serratia marcescens (facultative anaerobic

bacterial strain) was examined. Among 11 tested substrates – amino acids serine and proline, of both optical configurations,

were chosen as model substrates for the determination of the acceptable range of the value of external

factors influencing the mineralization process. Both pH and oxygen access were found to be limiting factors.

While the acidic pH switched off the mineralization, restricted aeration significantly reduced the effectiveness

of the process, extending the time for its completion.