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SUMMARY: An organism was isolated from soil, which grew in a basal mineral medium with either 3-methylglucose or 3-methylfructose as sole source of carbon. The bacterium is a member of the coli-aerogenes group, intermediate type 1. Grown in presence of either methyl-sugar, under suitable conditions, washed suspensions of the organism oxidize either 3-methylglucose or 3-methylfructose. Under anaerobic conditions, the two methyl-sugars are broken down with the formation of hydrogen, carbon dioxide and acid. The ability to attack 3-methylglucose or 3-methylfructose was acquired by growth in presence of either of the two methyl-sugars but not in the presence of glucose.