BIOCHEMISTRY OF THE USTILAGINALES: XIV. BIOASSIMILATION OF L-ERYTHRULOSE INTO 4-O-β-D-MANNOPYRANOSYL-D-ERYTHRITOL

L-Erythrulose-1-C14and -4-C14were used as precursors in the biosynthesis of 4-O-β-D-mannopyranosyl-D-erythritol. The ketose was utilized efficiently and the C14distribution pattern in the product indicated that the 4-carbon fragment was transferred intact to C-3, C-4, C-5, and C-6 of the mannose moiety and was also reduced intact to the erythritol portion.A method for the degradation of D-mannose for determination of the C14distribution in the molecule is described.