Reactions taxonomically significant

All propionic acid bacteria are catalase-positive P. arabinosum displays a very weak catalase activity). As a rule, members of the genus Propionibacterium produce significant amoxmts of vitamin Bn. We (Vorobjeva, 1976) suggested to differentiate propionibacteria by the nature of the coenzyme form of vitamin Bn. The presence of the isomerization reaction of succinyl-CoA methylmalonyl-CoA, which is the key reaction of propionic acid fermentation, represents another valuable taxonomic property of the genus. 

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