Comparative characterization of extracellular and intracellular hydrocarbons of Clostridium pasteurianum.

Extracellular and intracellular hydrocarbons produced by Clostridium pasteurianum VKM 1774 during cultivation on glucose-containing media in an argon atmosphere or in the presence of carbon dioxide and molecular hydrogen were analyzed by gas-liquid chromatography. Intracellular hydrocarbons were 50-55% (C25-C35) n-alkanes. Carbon dioxide and molecular hydrogen stimulated synthesis of extracellular hydrocarbons, which comprised 90-95% (C11-C24) n-alkanes.