Postlogarithmic Phase Metabolism of Sporulating Microorganisms

The occurrence of an arginase synthesized by sporulating cells of Bacillus licheniformis is reported. Since cell lysis is negligible and essentially 100% of the cells are sporulating, the production of the enzyme is a function of postlogarithmic cells. A procedure is described for a 30-fold purification of the enzyme. The arginase has a pH optimum of 9.5 to 10.0 and is activated and protected from inactivation by manganous ions, and the Km (l-arginine) for the purified preparation is 2.17 mm.