During the experimental work thus far done on the problem of eutin degradation by microorganisms, we had concentrated our efforts on the mechanism followed by Pen. spinulosum. It had however been shown already in the beginning (HEINEN, 1960) that besides this mold, which had been isolated from rotting leaves, other microorganisms as well are able to attack eutin as a substrate. In our recent work we have therefore shifted the emphasis on the question in how far eutin decomposition is a widespread ability of microorganisms. At the same time the general problem concerning the substructure of cutin as a poly-lipid was further examined. A new and very sensitive method for the determination of fatty acids (I-IEr~EN and DE VINES, 1966 a) enabled us to a more detailed study of the primary steps of enzymic eutin degradation, occurring during the decomposition of this substrate by soil microorganisms. We hope that the data presented here will, in combination with earlier results, eventually lead to a better concept about the chemical composition of turin.
The present communication deals with both these aspects.
highly cutinolytic (RvrNE~, 1961(RvrNE~, , 1963(RvrNE~, , 1965) ) and isolated in tropical rain forests--was included as a test organism.