HPLC traces for the detection of mevalonolactone formed by internal esterification of mevalonate, following the acidification of fermentation broth. Samples are C. ljungdahlii WT (black), pMTL83151 transformant (blue), pJF100 transformant (red), and 0.25 mg/ml mevalonolactone (brown). Conditions: 10-μl injection of supernatant of acidified fermentation broth, flow rate of 0.6 ml/min, and detection by a refractive index detector.