Seven acetogenic bacteria (Acetitomaculum ruminis, Acetobacterium woodii, Eubacterium limosum as well as isolates A2, A4, A10 and H3HH) were tested for PEP- and ATP-dependent phosphorylation of glucose and 2-deoxyglucose. Although all organisms had detectable phosphorylation activity, substantial variation existed in the rates of both PEP- and ATP-dependent phosphorylation. Isolate Alo had the highest rate of PEP-dependent phosphorylation of 11.62 nmol.L-1.mg-1.min-1. Isolate A10, H3HH as well as E. limosum most likely have a glucose phosphotransferase system(PTS). In contrast, A ruminis, A. woodii and isolate A2, A4 had PEP-dependent glucose phosphorylation rates very similar to control rates, suggesting the lack of PTS activity. The rates of ATP-dependent glucose phosphorylation were higher than PEP-dependent phosphorylation in all organisms surveyed. However, substantial variation existed in the rates of ATP-dependent glucose phosphorylation. The glucose PTS of isolates A10 and H3HH were induced by the presence of extracellular glucose. Moreover, the specific activity of the glucose PTS of both isolates increased as cultures progressed from the early log to late log phase of growth. ATP- and PEP-dependent maltose and sucrose phosphorylation was detected in isolates A10 and H3HH. Although activity was detected in both isolates(A10 and H3HH), the rate of activity varied considerably, depending on the sugar and organism tested.