Carbohydrate metabolism in Plasmodium knowlesi

• 1.

  1. Erythrocyte free preparations of Plasmodium knowlesi were incubated with various species of glucose ¹⁴C and dyruvate ¹⁴C. End products and isotope distribution were examined. It was found that:

• 2.

  2. The quantities of glucose carbon incorporated into CO₂ keto acids and lipids were low and of doubtful significance.

• 3.

  3. Volatile acids, neutral volatile compounds and lactate comprised the major end-products of glucose dissimilation by P. knowlesi. Carbon from ¹⁴C labeled species of glucose and pyruvate were rapidly incorporated into both the neutral and acid volatile fractions. Acetate and formate have been identified as important components of the acid volatile fraction. Small amounts of succinate have been isolated, but can account for only a minor portion of the glucose carbon utilized.

• 4.

  4. Pyruvate-¹⁴C was utilized rapidly by P. knowlesi preparations, the methyl carbon was incorporated into acetate while the carboxyl carbon was not, as would be predicted by known pathways.