MICROBIAL DECOMPOSITION OF RUTIN

A number of molds, streptomycetes, and bacteria, obtained from culture collections and by enrichment techniques, were tested for their ability to degrade rutin. The molds, particularly Aspergillus fiavus and A. niger, appeared to be more active than either the streptomycetes or bacteria. The aspergilli when grown on either rutin or quercetin produced extracellular enzymes that degraded both rutin and quercetin but not quercitrin. Rutinose, protocatechuic acid, phloroglucinol carboxylic acid, and a phloroglucmo! carboxylic acid – protocatechuic acid ester were identified by paper chromatography as the products.