Respiratory oxidation of pyruvate by plant mitochondria

Cytoplasmic particles isolated from mung bean seedlings can oxidize all of the acids of the Krebs cycle. The oxidation of pyruvate is dependent upon the concomitant oxidation of a catalytic amount of one of the di- or tricarboxylic acids, and in this function the various acids are approximately equivalent. Preparational procedures for the isolation of such particles have been defined. Among the most important requirements for full activity of the isolated particles is the presence of phosphate in the grinding medium. It has been shown that the isolated particles oxidize at a rate sufficient to account for all of the respiration of the inta ct tissue.