Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The influence of acetate on the oxidation of sulfide by Rhodopseudomonas capsulata

  • Published:
Archives of Microbiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The capacity to oxidize sulfide and the influence of the simultaneous presence of acetate in heterotrophically (acetate) and autotrophically (sulfide/CO2) grown Rhodopseudomonas capsulata was investigated.

Sulfide oxidation of acetate-limited cultures was found inversely related to the specific growth rate. Upon acetate deprevation (metering pump stopped) increased rates of sulfide oxidation were observed. This points to the existence of a constitutive acceptor for the electrons from sulfide. It is suggested that a carrier functional in the light-induced cyclic electron flow operates as such. The rate of sulfide oxidation, however, is low when compared to autotrophically-grown cells. This is probably due to the low levels of Calvin cycle enzymes present in the acetate-grown cells.

In cells growing on sulfide/CO2, the addition of acetate resulted in less sulfide being oxidized. Upon depletion of the acetate, the rate of sulfide oxidation again increased, however, insufficiently to maintain the accelerated growth rate. This indicates that under mixotrophic conditions the enzymes of the Calvin cycle are being synthesized to a far lesser extent.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

PHB:

poly-β-hydroxybutyric acid

D:

dilution rate

TCA:

Tri carboxylic acid cycle

RubPcase:

ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase

RP:

reducing power

References

  • Anderson L, Fuller RC (1967) Photosynthesis in Rhodospirillum rubrum. II. Photoheterophic carbon dioxide fixation. Plant Physiol 42:491–496

    Google Scholar 

  • Beeftink HH, van Gemerden H (1979) Actual and potential rates of substrate oxidation and product formation in continuous culture of Chromatium vinosum. Arch Microbiol 121:161–167

    Google Scholar 

  • Cappenberg ThE, Jongejan E (1978) Microenvironments for sulfate reduction and methane production in freshwater sediments. In: Krumbein WE (ed) Environm. Biogeochem. Geomicrobiol. Ann Arbor Sci Publ. Ann Arbor, 1 pp 129–138

    Google Scholar 

  • Fischer U, Trüper HG (1977) Cytochrome c-550 of Thiocapsa roseopersicina: properties and reduction by sulfide. FEMS Lett 1:87–90

    Google Scholar 

  • Hansen TA, van Gemerden H (1972) Sulfide utilization by purple nonsulfur bacteria. Arch Microbiol 86:49–56

    Google Scholar 

  • Hansen TA (1974) Sulfide als electron donor voor Rhodospirillaceae. Ph. D. Thesis, University Groningen

  • Harder W, van Dijken JP (1976) Theoretical considerations on the relation between energy production and growth of methane utilizing bacteria. In: Schlegel HG, Pfennig N, Gottschalk G (eds) Proceedings Symposium on Microbial Production and Utilization of Gases. Goltze, Göttingen, pp 403–418

    Google Scholar 

  • Herbert D, Phipps PJ, Strange RE (1971) Chemical analysis of microbial cells. In: Norris JR, Ribbons DW (eds) Methods in Microbiology. Vol 5B. Academic Press, New York, pp 209–344

    Google Scholar 

  • Hurlbert RE, Lascelles J (1963) Ribulose diphosphate carboxylase in Thiorhodaceae. J Gen Microbiol 33:445–458

    Google Scholar 

  • Kusai A, Yamanaka T (1973) Cytochrome c (553, Chlorobium thiosulfatophilum) is a sulphide-cytochrome c reductate. FEBS Lett 34:235–237

    Google Scholar 

  • Law JH, Slepecky RA (1961) Assay of poly-hydroxybutyric acid. J Bacteriol 82:33–36

    Google Scholar 

  • Lowry OH, Rosebrough NJ, Farr AL, Randall RJ (1951) Protein measurement with the Folin phenol reagent. J Biol Chem 193:265–275

    Google Scholar 

  • Slater JH, Morris I (1973) Photosynthetic carbon dioxide assimilation by Rhodospirillum rubrum. Arch Mikrobiol 88:213–223

    Google Scholar 

  • Stouthamer AH (1977) Energetic aspects of the growth of microorganisms. Symp Soc Gen Microbiol 27:285–315

    Google Scholar 

  • Thauer RK, Jungermann K, Decker K (1977) Energy conservation in chemotrophic anaerobic bacteria. Bacteriol Rev 41:100–180

    Google Scholar 

  • Trüper HG, Schlegel HG (1964) Sulphur metabolism in Thiorhodaceae. I. Quantitative measurements on growing cells of Chromatium okenii Antonie van Leeuwenhoek. J Microbiol Serol 30:225–238

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Gemerden H, Beeftink HH (1978) Specific rates of substrate oxidation and product formation in autotrophically growing Chromatium vinosum cultures. Arch Microbiol 119:135–143

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Microbiology, University of Groningen, Kerklaan 30, 9751, NN Haren, The Netherlands

    Dirk-Jan Wijbenga & Hans van Gemerden

Authors
  1. Dirk-Jan Wijbenga
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Hans van Gemerden
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Wijbenga, DJ., van Gemerden, H. The influence of acetate on the oxidation of sulfide by Rhodopseudomonas capsulata . Arch. Microbiol. 129, 115–118 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00455344

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00455344

Key words

Search

Navigation