Analysis of the Butyrate-Producing Pathway in Porphyromonas gingivalis

Butyrate is one of the most harmful metabolic end products found in the oral cavity. Thus, it would be important to characterize the enzymes responsible for production of this metabolite to elucidate the pathogenicity of periodontogenic bacteria. Here, a spectrophotometric assay for butyryl-CoA:acetate CoA transferase activity and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry measurement of butyrate and other short chain fatty acids such as acetate, propionate, isobutyrate, and isovalerate are described.