d-Aminolevulinic acid (ALA), which is an intermediate in the biosynthesis of chlorophyll a, can be biosynthesized via theC5pathway and the Sheminpathway inEuglena gracilis. Analysis of the 13 C-NMR spectrum of 13 C-labeled methyl pheophorbidea, derived from 13 C-labeled chlorophylla biosynthesized fromD-[1-13 C]glucose byE. gracilis,provid-ed evidence suggesting that ALA incorporated in the 13 C-labeled chlorophyllawas synthesized via both the C5 pathway and the Shemin pathway in a ratio of between and to one
