Comparative Biochemistry: Volume II

Liebig directed attention to the importance of phosphorus as a major component of tissues, and urged the use of phosphates as plant fertilizers. Thus he anticipated the later work of Büchner (2, 3) and of Harden and Young (3, 4), who laid the foundations of present knowledge of phosphorus metabolism. In both the studies of Büchner and of Harden and Young cell-free extracts of bakers' yeast were used and it was found that formation of alcohol during anaerobic fermentation was dependent on the supply of inorganic phosphate, which was converted into organic phosphate. These findings led to extensive investigation of phosphate esters in living things and, although they were first thought to be unimportant side products, it was soon clear that these compounds were essential intermediates in metabolic transformations.