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. 1995 Aug;61(8):3180–3184. doi: 10.1128/aem.61.8.3180-3184.1995

3-Methylindole (skatole) and indole production by mixed populations of pig fecal bacteria.

M T Jensen 1, R P Cox 1, B B Jensen 1
PMCID: PMC167595  PMID: 7487051

Abstract

Pig fecal slurries converted added L-tryptophan either to indole without detectable intermediates or to 3-methylindole (skatole) via indole-3-acetate. The initial rate of production of 3-methylindole was greatest at pH 6.5 and less at pH 5.0 and 8.0; the initial rates of indole production were similar at pH 6.5 and 8.0. More than 80% of the tryptophan added was converted to 3-methylindole at pH 5.0; at pH 8.0 85% was converted to indole. Both pathways had similar Km values for tryptophan and similar maximum rates. Indole-3-carbinol and indole-3-acetonitrile completely inhibited the production of 3-methylindole from indole-3-acetate but had no effect on the reactions involving L-tryptophan.

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Selected References

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